BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Trinniberg Cuts Back in Woody Stephens Stakes

Shivananda Racing's Trinniberg will cut back to a more favorable distance June 9 in the $400,000 Woody Stephens Stakes (gr. II) for 3-year-olds at Belmont Park, but he could have his hands full.

Thistledown to Install VLTs; Move Possible

The owner of Thistledown near Cleveland said June 6 it has a memorandum of understanding with the State of Ohio to install video lottery terminals at the racetrack, but also reserves the right to move the operation.

KY Salix Meeting: More Questions Than Answers

During an oddly lopsided meeting on a proposal to phase-out use of furosemide on race day in listed and graded stakes in Kentucky, proponents of the therapeutic anti-bleeding medication made their case. But it may not matter.

Deal Would Give Canterbury $75M for Purses

Canterbury Park Holding Corp. and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community struck a 10-year "cooperative marketing agreement" by which the tribe will funnel $75 million in purses to the Minnesota racetrack.

PA Gaming Report Examines Revenue for Purses

Slot machine revenue for purses increased by more than $19 million at six Pennsylvania racetracks in 2011, while pari-mutuel handle and the revenue it produces for prize money continued to drop.

TOC Moves Harshly Criticized by Betfair TVG

The Thoroughbred Owners of California June 1 tabled action on exchange wagering for one year and endorsed a deal proposed by The Stronach Group, leading to a strong response from Betfair TVG.

Nate's Mineshaft Dominates Lone Star 'Cap

Windy Hill Farm's Nate Mineshaft got back on the winning track with an easy front-end victory in the $300,000 Lone Star Handicap (gr. III) at Lone Star Park May 28.

Ruthenia Storms Home to Take Violet Stakes

Virginia Kraft Payson's Ruthenia made the most of her Monmouth Park debut with a come-from-behind victory in the $100,000 Violet Stakes (gr. IIIT) May 28 at the New Jersey racetrack.

Winning Image Steals My Juliet Stakes

Locally based Winning Image, owned by Martin Scafidi, asserted herself early and ended up wiring the field in the $150,000 My Juliet Stakes at Parx Racing May 26.

No Pushovers in Strong Metropolitan Handicap

Experience and previous success on the Belmont Park dirt surface could be the deciding factor when a short but strong field gathers for the $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) at one mile May 28.

Reddam, Gutierrez Team Up Again in Gamely

J. Paul Reddam's Quiet Oasis, an upset winner in her first start of 2012, will seek to keep it going when she returns to grade I stakes company in the $250,000 Gamely Stakes at Betfair Hollywood Park May 28.

Racing Language Protected in OH Gaming Bill

Language pertaining to the horse racing industry remained intact May 24 when the Ohio House of Representatives and Senate passed a casino cleanup bill that was sent to Republican Gov. John Kasich for his signature.

No Re-Vote, But Maryland THA Makes Changes

In the wake of recent conflict over its structure, the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association announced "major leadership changes" after a closed May 23 board of directors meeting held at Laurel Park.

Trainer Allegedly Has 1,700 Drug Violations

A Standardbred trainer was suspended in New York May 24 for an alleged 1,700 equine medication violations after a joint investigation by New York and New Jersey regulators.

THS: Sheepshead Bay Stakes

Tom and Evan handicap the Sheepshead Bay Stakes at Belmont Park this weekend.

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Speedy Silver Max Tops Arlington Classic

Two-time graded stakes winner Silver Max appears the one to collar in the $125,000 Arlington Classic, which kicks off the "Mid-America Triple" on turf for 3-year-olds at Arlington Park May 26.

Minnesota Makes Equine Drug-Testing Changes

A new law that allows for an expansion of racetrack card clubs in Minnesota also permits the Minnesota Racing Commission to set threshold testing levels for therapeutic medications used in racehorses.

My Juliet Draws Short But Productive Field

Five female sprinters with a combined 34 victories were entered in the $150,000 My Juliet Stakes, the May 26 feature that begins the 2012 stakes schedule in earnest at Parx Racing in Pennsylvania.

No Middle Ground in Battle Over Salix Use?

There doesn't seem to be any middle ground in the debate over the anti-bleeding drug furosemide, and it seems doubtful the two sides will come together any time soon.

Delta Downs Owner to Buy Evangeline Downs

The owner of Delta Downs Racetrack & Casino has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Peninsula Gaming, which owns Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino, for $1.45 billion.

Vets Report Safe Kentucky Oaks and Derby

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission reported successful Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) programs from an equine safety standpoint.

KY Downs Instant Racing Handle Near $82M

More than $81.95 million was bet through Instant Racing machines at Kentucky Downs from Sept. 1, 2011, through April 30, 2012, according to the latest figures from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Speedy Immortal Eyes Back in MD Sprint 'Cap

Robert Abbo Racing Stable's Immortal Eyes, who just missed winning last year's Maryland Sprint Handicap (gr. III) after rating a bit early, will try again when the six-furlong event is held May 19 at Pimlico Race Course.

Split Over Race-Day Salix Continues in KY

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission May 16 kept alive a proposed regulation to phase out over three years race-day furosemide for graded and listed stakes, but not before the Equine Drug Research Council voted to reject it.

Canterbury Cuts Takeout 39% on 'Pick' Wagers

Canterbury Park in Minnesota has slashed the pari-mutuel takeout rate on Pick 3 and Pick 4 wagers by almost 40% for its upcoming meet.

Cotillion Joins PA Derby as $1 Million Stakes

Parx Racing has increased the purse of the grade I Cotillion Stakes for 3-year-old fillies to $1 million and scheduled it on the same day as the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) for 3-year-olds.

Black Caviar Wins Again; Royal Ascot Next

Undefeated Black Caviar racked up victory number 21 in the group I Goodwood Stakes at Morphettville in Adelaide, Australia, May 12, and will head to Great Britain in three weeks to prepare for the Royal Ascot meet.

Ohio Bill Sets VLT Purse Share at 9% Minimum

Casino cleanup legislation passed by the Ohio Senate May 10 has some new horse racing-related language, including a section that ensures the industry will get no less than 9% of gross revenue from racetrack VLTs.

PA Senate Spares Major Racing Cuts in Budget

The Pennsylvania Senate May 10 approved a $27.6 billion state budget that restores almost $70 million that would have been cut from the slot machine-supported Race Horse Development Fund.

Mid-Atlantic Circuit: Possible--or Laughable

Cooperation and concessions could do wonders in the Mid-Atlantic region, which badly needs a circuit strategy.

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Maryland THA Board Calls for Revote on Bylaws

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association said May 7 it will hold another vote on proposed changes to its bylaws after its general counsel found a "flaw" in a vote taken during a special election April 30.

CDI Reports First-Quarter Gain in Earnings

Churchill Downs Inc. reported net earnings of $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2012, a reversal from a $3.2 million loss during the first three months of 2011.

Delaware, Horsemen Have Deal in Nick of Time

Delaware Park and the Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association signed a one-year contract May 2 after months of contentious negotiations.

KHRC to Discuss, But Not Vote on, Salix Plan

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission confirmed it will discuss but not take final action May 16 on a proposal for the three-year phase-out of race-day furosemide in graded and listed stakes.

Tracks Report Business Gains on Derby Day

Racetracks reported an upswing in business because of the record-setting Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) program held May 5 at Churchill Downs.

Churchill Sets Handle Records for Derby Day

In addition to record attendance, Churchill Downs reported record all-sources wagering of $187 million for its 13-race Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) program May 5.

Little Mike Takes Turf Classic in Big Effort

Little Mike caught a tough group of competitors by surprise with a wire-to-wire upset victory in the $561,000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. IT) at Churchill Downs May 5.

NY Lawmaker: Return Betting to City Bars

Using the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) to make his point, New York Assemblyman Micah Kellner, who represents Manhattan, railed on officials for not moving to offer offtrack betting at bars in New York City.

New Law Should Help Revenue at Canterbury

Canterbury Park didn't get slot machines, but it did win changes expected to generate more revenue from its card club to support purses.

Approaching Storm Delays Action at Churchill

The infield at Churchill Downs was in the process of being evacuated and the American Turf (gr. IIT) delayed for at least 45 minutes as a strong line of storms approached Louisville, Ky., from the west at about 4:30 p.m. EDT.

Romans, Culver Talk Racehorse Ownership

Trainer Dale Romans and owner Jim Culver discussed Thoroughbred ownership and the relationship between owners and trainers during a seminar hosted by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association May 3.

Phillips Named to Kentucky Racing Commission

Darby Dan Farms owner John Phillips has been appointed to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission as a replacement for John Ward Jr., who recently was hired as executive director of the regulatory agency.

WV Court: Ejection Appeals Can Be Heard

A West Virginia circuit court judge has rejected an attempt by Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races to keep the West Virginia Racing Commission from holding hearings for individuals who want to appeal ejections.

Breeders' Cup Hoping 'Best Is Yet to Come'

Breeders' Cup marketing will have new look in the lead up to the 2012 World Championships at Santa Anita Park.

Doubles Partner Seeks Trip in Turf Classic

Doubles Partner, third in the April 13 Makers 46 Mile (gr. IT) at Keeneland after an unfortunate trip, returns to one of his favorite grass courses for the $500,000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. IT) at Churchill May 5.

Race-Day Drugs, Regulation Discussed by Panel

The racing industry is closer to uniformity in drug regulations and penalties than many admit, but agreement on race-day anti-bleeding drugs in a "toxic" environment will require some heavy lifting, officials said May 2.

Industry Members Give Testimony to Congress

Members of Congress April 30 heard of problems in the Thoroughbred racing industry--most of them related to equine medication--but stopped short of a full endorsement of federal intervention.

Was Hearing a Self-Inflicted Black Eye?

Thoroughbred racing got further bruises April 30 during an allegation-ridden congressional hearing into equine health and medication issues that furthered a call for federal intervention--at least on some level.

Black Caviar Coasts to 20-for-20 Record

Black Caviar won her 20th race in as many starts April 28 and in the process, the 5-year-old mare set the Australasian record for consecutive wins.

Pinnacle to Buy Majority Share in Retama Park

Casino operator Pinnacle Entertainment said April 26 one of its subsidiaries has an agreement to purchase a 75.5% interest in Retama Park, which is located near San Antonio, Texas.