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Goldikova Repeats as Top Female on Turf

Wertheimer and Frere's homebred Goldikova, Europe's Horse of the Year, is named North America's top Turf Female after winning her third straight Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT).

Group Plans Ohio Track; Hoping for VLTs

An eastern Ohio development company officially announced Jan. 17 plans to construct a racetrack and resort called Mahoning Valley Downs in the Youngstown, Ohio, area.

Illinois Lawmaker: Racetrack Slots a Priority

Democratic Illinois Rep. Lou Lang reiterated Jan. 15 he intends to push legislation authorizing racetrack slot machines and will begin drafting a bill the week of Jan. 17.

Virus Precautions Stepped Up at Beulah Park

With two barns at Beulah Park quarantined because of equine herpesvirus, the Ohio Department of Agriculture is ordering that all horses on the grounds at the track have their temperatures taken and recorded each day.

Indy Budget: 45% Cut in Racing's Slots Share

The proposed Indiana budget bill includes a line item that would almost cut in half the amount horse racing receives from racetrack slot machines.

Turfway Park to Try Saturday Night Racing

Turfway Park, in an attempt to drive ontrack business, hopes to replicate its Friday night success by switching to an evening post time on Saturdays beginning Feb. 5.

HANA Targets Takeout Hike, Wants Panel Formed

The Horseplayers Association of North America is calling for reversal of a pari-mutuel takeout increase in California as well as creation of a gambling board that would advise the California Horse Racing Board.

Pinnacle Names GM for River Downs in Ohio

Pinnacle Entertainment has named Kevin Kaufman, general manager of its Belterra Casino in Indiana, as general manager of River Downs in Ohio.

Decisive Moment, Flash Mash Eye Delta Riches

Just For Fun Stable's Decisive Moment and Prime Equestrian S.A.R.L.'s Flash Mash could be the respective favorites for the Jean Lafitte Stakes and My Trust Cat Stakes Jan. 14 at Delta Downs.

Maryland Commission Suggests Gaming Changes

A commission overseeing development of video lottery terminal parlors in Maryland said Jan. 11 the state should examine ways to attract more interest in available gaming licenses and study similar operations in other states.

Bill Provides $30M for New Jersey Racing

A bill that would shift $30 million from the Casino Redevelopment Authority to the horse racing industry over a three-year period progressed in the New Jersey legislature Jan. 10.

Beulah Barn Cleared; Another Horse Tested

A barn at Beulah Park in Ohio has been released from quarantine, but a possible case of equine herpesvirus is being investigated in another barn, officials said Jan. 8.

Black N Beauty Sharp in Gulfstream Victory

Zayat Stables' Black N Beauty probably earned himself a ticket to the $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) with a solid victory in a $51,500 allowance test for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream Park Jan. 7.

MD Industry's 2011 Legislative Plan Uncertain

The Maryland General Assembly convenes Jan. 12 for a session expected to include aid for horse racing, but action on the expansion of gambling is questionable.

New Life for Atlantic City Race Course?

A public-private partnership could lead to redevelopment of Atlantic City Race Course but would include upgrades to the circa-1946 facility and continuation--if not expansion--of live racing at the New Jersey track.

Two Beulah Park Barns Under Quarantine

Two barns remained under quarantine Jan. 4 at Beulah Park in Ohio as state veterinary officials continue to investigate possible equine herpesvirus.

Mixed Results at Shorter Turfway Park Meet

Turfway Park, which raced four days a week instead of five during its holiday meet, reported an increase in average daily ontrack wagering but as expected a decrease in average daily all-sources pari-mutuel handle.

Charles Town Reports 8.1% Jump in 2010 Handle

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races reported gains in total pari-mutuel handle for its 2010 meet, which spanned 227 full programs and four partial cards through Dec. 31.

Quarantine at Beulah Park as Tests Continue

Quarantine measures have been implemented at Beulah Park in Ohio with horses being tested for possible equine herpesvirus.

Ridiculous Predictions for the New Year

Here are 10 off-the-wall predictions for 2011. The way things go in horse racing, there's probably a chance one or two of them will come to fruition.

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Judge: Instant Racing Rules Under KHRC Valid

A Kentucky circuit court judge has ruled draft regulations for Instant Racing "are a valid and lawful exercise" of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission's statutory authority.

Mountaineer Calendar: 210 Racing Days in 2011

Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort will offer 210 days of live Thoroughbred racing in 2011 beginning March 1.

Parameters of Maryland Agreement Discussed

The Maryland Jockey Club will receive more than $5 million for operations under the parameters of a negotiated agreement that will maintain a full 146-day live Thoroughbred racing schedule in the state.

NJ Dates Granted, Betting Parlors Licensed

The New Jersey Racing Commission Dec. 22 awarded full racing dates for 2011 and also licensed four off-track wagering facilities for the coming year.

Maryland Has 2011 Dates; Commission OKs Plan

Maryland racing interests and governor's office will announce later Dec. 22 that a deal has been reached to offer a full 146-day live racing schedule in the state.

Chaos, Mistrust in Maryland as Clock Ticks

A horsemen's representative acknowledged Dec. 21 there's still a little more than a week to get a racing schedule in place in Maryland for 2011, but he said chances are slim if the situation isn't resolved before Christmas.

No Live Dates in MD; Preakness Threatened

There still is no live racing schedule for 2011 in Maryland after a Dec. 21 meeting of the Maryland Racing Commission.

Still No Live Racing Schedule in Maryland

There still is no live racing schedule for 2011 in Maryland after a Dec. 21 meeting of the Maryland Racing Commission.

OH Tracks Have Dates But No Horsemen's Deal

Ohio's three Thoroughbred racetracks have mapped out their live racing schedules for 2011, but two of them still have no agreement with horsemen on racing dates.

Claiming Crown Moves to Fair Grounds for 2011

The 2011 Claiming Crown will be held Dec. 3 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in Louisiana, officials announced Dec. 20.

Rich Graded 'Classic' Tops Charles Town Slate

The first graded stakes in the history of Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races highlights a 2011 stakes schedule worth more than $3 million at the West Virginia track.

Compact Legislation Pre-filed in Kentucky

Republican Kentucky Sen. Damon Thayer has pre-filed a bill that would authorize an interstate racing and wagering compact with Kentucky as a member.

$50K Still Buys Quality Stakes Field in KY

The Dec. 18 Prairie Bayou Stakes at Turfway Park says a couple of things about the state of Kentucky racing: Purses aren't up to par, and $50,000 can still buy you a pretty good field.

NJSEA: Deny Relicensing of Private OTWs

The New Jersey Racing Commission Dec. 22 will consider a request by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to yank the licenses of two off-track wagering facilities operated by private interests in the state.

Stats Look at Fatal Injuries Over Two Years

An analysis of statistics compiled by the Equine Injury Database for a two-year period shows a slight decline in the number of catastrophic injuries, officials said Dec. 15.

California Screamin'--Issues Get Airing Out

Issues impacting the long-term health of California horse racing were dissected Dec. 9 and produced a general message: Think outside the box, because the prospect of revenue from gaming is very dim.

Distribution Plan Has Potential, Some Bumps

A transition of simulcast signals to the DISH Network offers long-term positives for the horse racing industry -- including the possibility of new revenue -- but in the short term, the road has been a bit bumpy.

Safety Alliance Participation Falling Short

When it is released in early January 2011, the second report from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance independent monitor may have this message: Not good enough.

Smith Dedicates 'Turfdom' Award to Zenyatta

Jockey Mike Smith, winner of the Big Sport of Turfdom Award for the second straight year, dedicated the honor to Zenyatta, the now-retired champion mare he rode in many of her races.

Evans: Optimism, But Not Without Changes

Churchill Downs Inc. president and chief executive officer Bob Evans said Dec. 7 there are reasons to be optimistic about the future of horse racing -- but not without major changes in the way the industry does business.

Racing Keeps Eye on Internet Poker Bill

The pari-mutuel industry could end up with some benefits should Congress opt to use legalization of Internet poker to help fund continuation of broad tax cuts agreed upon by Republicans and President Obama.

NTRA Relying Less on Membership Dues

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has adopted a $9.1 million budget for 2011 that relies less on dues from members and more on revenue from other programs.

Maryland Racing Deserves Better Than This

Maryland racing may seem like a comedy of errors, but it's no laughing matter.

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Turfway Kicks Off Four Months of KY Racing

The Kentucky racing scene shifts to Turfway Park Dec. 2 for a fourth-month run that comprises two meets. The holiday meet will run through Dec. 31, followed by the winter-spring meet from Jan. 1-April 3, 2011.

PNGI: No Plans to Exit Maryland Venture

Penn National Gaming Inc. said Nov. 30 its joint venture with MI Developments in Maryland will continue, and that it planned to work on an "expedited basis" to devise a 2011 live racing schedule in the state.

MJC Plan Rejected; Laurel, Pimlico in Limbo

Thoroughbred racing in Maryland for 2011 is in limbo after the Maryland Racing Commission rejected the Maryland Jockey Club's plan for 47 racing dates.

MJC Plan Rejected; Laurel, Pimlico in Limbo

Racing in Maryland for 2011 is in limbo after the Maryland Racing Commission Nov. 29 rejected a plan submitted by the Maryland Jockey Club and also rejected owner MI Developments' plan to sell 49% of the tracks to PNGI.

Pinnacle Confirms $45M Deal for River Downs

Las Vegas-based Pinnacle Entertainment confirmed Nov. 26 it has a deal to purchase River Downs near Cincinnati, Ohio, for $45 million.

Poll Shows Support for Slots at Meadowlands

An informal poll conducted by the Hall Institute the week of Nov. 15 showed more than half would support installing slot machines at Meadowlands in New Jersey.

Jersey Handle Up $123M With 50% Fewer Dates

The consolidation of Thoroughbred racing at Monmouth Park this year led to a $123 million increase in total handle despite 50% fewer racing dates, New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority officials said Nov. 21.