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Lower Takeout Among NY Council's Suggestions

The New York Racing Fan Advisory Council has released its formal recommendations for ways to improve horse racing in the state, and at the top of the list is lower pari-mutuel takeout.

Charles Town Reports Handle Records for 2012

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races reported that, for the first time in the track's 79 years of operation, average daily pari-mutuel handle topped the $1 million mark.

THS: Daytona Stakes

Tom and Pete handicap the Daytona Stakes at Santa Anita Park.

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Turfway Purses to Increase Beginning Jan. 1

Turfway Park is following through with its plan to increase purses across the board when its winter/spring meet begins Jan. 1, 2013. The new condition book at the Kentucky racetrack reflects increases of 13% to about 35%.

THS: 2-Year-Old Review

Tom and Pete look at the performance of 2-year-olds in 2012 and discuss who holds promise for a shot at the Triple Crown.

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Horsemen, Turfway Explore Training Proposal

The Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and Turfway Park are working together to determine whether there is enough interest in having the racetrack stay open for summer stabling and training.

Penn National to Add $500,000 Turf Stakes

Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, seeking to add more punch to its open stakes schedule, has added a $500,000 event for 3-year-olds on the turf at one mile in 2013.

Indiana Step Closer to Consolidation of Dates

Indiana Downs is one step closer to becoming the sole location for Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing in the state.

THS: The CashCall Futurity

Tom and Pete preview the CashCall Futurity.

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Non-Track Casino Funds Approved for OH Racing

The Ohio State Racing Commission Dec. 13 approved the distribution of more than $1.77 million in revenue racing has received from non-track casinos in the state.

Loose Ends Slow Transfer of Ohio Race Dates

Beulah Park and the Ohio Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association have agreed on 2013 live racing days, but approval of a shift of the River Downs meet to Beulah Park remains on hold.

Talks Continue on Possible Ohio Dates Swap

Negotiations continued Dec. 12 among the Ohio parties involved in a possible shift of the River Downs meet to Beulah Park in 2013.

Horsemen's Groups Announce Election Results

National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association affiliates in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia have announced results of elections for their boards of directors.

Are Pensions Wild Card in KY Gambling Debate?

Two lawmakers in leadership positions in the Kentucky General Assembly said Dec. 10 the issue of expanded gambling remains on the table, but whether a bill materializes depends on Gov. Steve Beshear.

Dust and Diamonds Cashes in at Gulfstream

Dust and Diamonds produced a quick return on her purchase at auction in November with an easy victory in the $100,000 Sugar Swirl Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park Dec. 8.

Integrity Push Continues Despite Obstacles

Racing jurisdictions and racetracks are making some headway on tightening the screws on integrity in the sport, though one official Dec. 6 described it as a "minefield" due to legal issues and court fights.

Official: Tote Security Plan Remains on Track

The Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau is making progress on its plan to roll out what it calls the "Tote Security System" in the fall of 2013, an official said Dec. 4.

Romans Honored With Big Sport of Turfdom

Dale Romans received the Big Sport of Turfdom Award during a lunch held in conjunction with the University of Arizona Global Symposium on Racing and Gaming Dec. 5 in Tucson.

Strong Focus on Pari-Mutuel Side Called Vital

In this age of racetrack casinos, the message is very clear: Increase the focus on pari-mutuel wagering and don't consider gaming revenue for purses and other programs an entitlement.

Pros, Cons of the New Racing Media Discussed

This year's Mark Kaufman Workshop presented by the Turf Publicists of America Dec. 4 during the University of Arizona Global Symposium on Racing and Gaming tackled the topic of the new racing media.

Fantasy Games Touted as Important Tool

Operators of online racing and sports fantasy games said Dec. 4 the time is now for the horse racing industry to capitalize on them to develop fans and generate new revenue.

Panel: Field Size, Consistency Aid Handle

Representatives of horse racing in foreign countries said Dec. 4 there are some issues with importing simulcasts of races from the United States, but when it comes to bettors, field size usually wins out over everything.

River Downs Meet Could Move to Beulah in 2013

The awarding of 2013 Thoroughbred racing dates in Ohio has stalled given the fact the meet at River Downs may have to move to Beulah Park because of construction of a new racetrack gaming facility.

Charles Town Classic Purse Up to $1.5 Million

The purse for the grade II Charles Town Classic will increase to $1.5 million in 2013 and award the winner $1 million under a revised payment structure.

Thayer Elected to Key Post in Kentucky Senate

Republican Kentucky Sen. Damon Thayer, who has been involved with most legislation involving the horse industry in recent years, was elected majority floor leader Nov. 28 during a GOP Senate leadership caucus.

PNGI, Greenwood Compete for Casino License

Two Pennsylvania racetrack gaming companies are among the six bidders for a license to build a non-racetrack casino in Philadelphia.

Canterbury Adds Dates, Will Increase Purses

Canterbury Park will offer a 69-day Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse meet in 2013, and purses will increase 25% from 2012 levels, officials said.

THS: Delta Downs Jackpot

Tom and Pete handicap the Delta Downs Jackpot.

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NJ Tracks Get 77 Thoroughbred Dates for 2013

There will be 77 Thoroughbred racing dates for 2013 under a schedule approved by the New Jersey Racing Commission Nov. 14. The dates were approved pending a review of the minutes of the meeting by Gov. Chris Christie.

Horse PAC Reports Success in Election Cycle

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association reported that 41 of the 44 federal candidates it supported through its political action committee in 2011-12 won their seats in the Nov. 6 election.

THS: The Cardinal Handicap

Tom and Pete handicap the Cardinal Handicap at Churchill Downs this week.

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CDI Says It's Poised for Growth in 2013

Churchill Downs Inc. officials said Nov. 6 the company had a "decent" third quarter in 2012 and is poised for growth in 2013-14.

Wise Dan Takes BC Mile in Course-Record Time

Morton Fink's Wise Dan squarely put himself in the mix for a variety of championships this year with a superior course-record victory in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park Nov. 3.

Perfect Weather for Breeders' Cup Saturday

The weather for Nov. 3, the second day of the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park should be ideal.

No Catching Royal Delta in BC Ladies' Classic

Besilu Stables' Royal Delta took control after an early scramble for the lead and never looked back en route to a strong victory in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park Nov. 2.

BC Prepared for Handle Hit After Hurricane

Breeders' Cup is prepared to take a hit in pari-mutuel handle given the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast even though many wagering outlets were back in operation Nov. 2.

Gulfstream Serious About Breeders' Cup Bid

Gulfstream Park could make a serious bid to host a future Breeders' Cup World Championships, officials confirmed Nov. 2.

BC Ramps Up Hospitality, Seeks 'Elegance'

Breeders' Cup is well on its way in executing a strategy to enhance the World Championships experience for owners, breeders, and trainers.

THS: Breeders' Cup

Tom LaMarra and Claire Novak handicap a few choice races from the Breeders' Cup providing insight from past performances and on site impressions. The Classic will be covered in tomorrow's show.

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Elliston Has Eye on Future for Breeders' Cup

Bob Elliston, who took over as chief operating officer at Breeders' Cup earlier this year, said the organization is assessing its position and working to improve the overall experience the World Championships has to offer.

Trinniberg Hopes for Six-Furlong Breakthrough

Sherry Parbhoo's Trinniberg may be 15-1 on the morning line for the $1.5 million Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I), but his connections may see the race differently.

Time, Training Give Pool Play Another Chance

The connections of Pool Play figured last year the horse wouldn't race again because of a tendon injury, but given time and sharp training by Mark Casse, the horse has made it to the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Strong, Deep Field Entered in Ladies' Classic

The Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (gr. I) didn't draw the largest field, but it attracted eight fillies and mares that could put on quite a show in the $2 million event Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park.

Turfway Cuts Some Stakes to Increase Purses

Turfway Park, which has again cut racing dates in the hope of increasing overnight purses when it reopens in late November, will offer a slimmed down stakes schedule for its holiday and winter/spring meets.

Flight Carrying BC Horses Able to Leave NY

A flight carrying a contingent of Breeders' Cup horses from New York to California was rescheduled to 1 a.m. EDT Oct. 29 and was able to take off as Hurricane Sandy approached the Northeast, Breeders' Cup officials said.

THS: Breeders' Cup Preview Saturday Card

Watch Tom and Pete preview the Breeders' Cup Saturday card, including the Classic, Mile, Juvenile Turf and Juvenile.

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Claiming Crown 2012

Listen to Tom LaMarra discuss the 2012 Claiming Crown with TOBA president Dan Metzger, Gulfstream Park COO Tim Ritvo, and Owner/Breeder Ken Ramsey.

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'Public Sale' Hints at Future of River Downs

Though owner Pinnacle Entertainment hasn't made an official announcement, it appears the grandstand at River Downs will be leveled to make way for a new racetrack gaming facility.

Data: Slight Drop in Fatal Racehorse Injuries

Synthetic surfaces still have the lowest number of catastrophic breakdowns per 1,000 starts, but overall fatalities for all surfaces didn't change much from 2009 to 2011, according to Equine Injury Database statistics.

Proactive Approach Sought on Racing Surfaces

Regular testing and proactive investment are keys to improving the safety records of racetracks, a co-founder of the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory said Oct. 16 at the fourth Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit.