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Major Purse Hikes Set for Belmont, Saratoga

Stakes purses at the Belmont Park and Saratoga meets this year will increase roughly 27%, while overnight purses will jump about 42%, the New York Racing Association said Feb. 29.

Optimism and Wariness as Mountaineer Reopens

Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort will begin its 10-month meet March 2 with some upgrades and increased promotion, but officials also are keeping an eye on neighboring states as they expand gambling opportunities.

WV Panel OKs Rules Allowing Exclusion Appeals

The West Virginia Racing Commission Feb. 27 unanimously adopted new procedural rules that allow occupational permit-holders the right to appeal racetrack ejections.

Algorithms Scratched From Fountain of Youth

Morning-line favorite Algorithms was scratched from the Feb. 26 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park because of a splint issue.

Summer Applause Wins Rachel Alexandra Stakes

Summer Applause bounced back from a loss in her first start of this year when she rallied to win the $194,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes (gr. III) for 3-year-old fillies at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Feb. 25.

Awesome Maria Dominates Royal Delta in Sabin

E. Paul Robsham Stables' Awesome Maria, who hadn't raced since last June, destroyed four foes, including champion Royal Delta, to win the $98,000 Sabin Stakes (gr. III) by eight lengths at Gulfstream Park Feb. 25.

Kentucky ADW Tax Bill Passes House

Legislation that would tax pari-mutuel wagers made by Kentucky residents through advance deposit wagering services passed the House of Representatives by a 79-15 vote Feb. 24.

In Kentucky, Major Progress Despite Defeat

Though the gambling amendment was defeated, there are signs of positive change in the Kentucky legislature.

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Kentucky Senate Kills Gambling Amendment

A measure authorizing a constitutional amendment on expanded gambling in Kentucky was defeated by the state Senate on a 21-16 vote the afternoon of Feb. 23. One senator was absent.

Nine-Year-Old Awesome Gem Prepares for Return

Nine-year-old Awesome Gem, in the money in 19 graded stakes, is back on the work tab in California and will be pointed toward a seventh year of racing.

Chips Are Falling - By Tom LaMarra

What has horse racing learned from 20 years of racetrack-based casino gambling?

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Thayer: Senate Vote Must Respect Kentuckians

A Kentucky senator who chairs a committee that passed a constitutional amendment on expanded gambling Feb. 22 said he will oppose a call to have the bill voted on by the full Senate Feb. 23.

KY Senate Panel Approves Expanded Gaming Bill

An amended bill that would authorize a constitutional amendment on allowing up to seven casinos in Kentucky was approved Feb. 22 by the Senate Committee on State and Local Government and will be sent to the full Senate.

Kentucky Committee OKs Tax on Account Wagers

Legislation that would tax pari-mutuel wagers made by Kentucky residents through advance deposit wagering services was approved in committee Feb. 21 and heads to the House of Representatives.

Report Helps NY Racetrack Casinos Make Case

A report done for the New York Gaming Association says the organization's members -- nine racetrack casinos in the state -- generate almost $2 billion a year in economic output.

Ontario Official Targets Racing's Slots Money

A top government official in Ontario Feb. 14 questioned the $345 million horse racing gets from province-operated slot machines given a $16 billion budget deficit.

KY Horse Industry Cites Chamber's Support

Representatives of Kentucky's horse industry said a strong endorsement of a constitutional amendment on expanded gambling by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Feb. 9 indicates broad support for a statewide vote on the issue.

Thayer Reveals Clients, Calls for Gaming Vote

Kentucky Sen. Damon Thayer reaffirmed his support for a constitutional amendment on expanded gambling Feb. 9, and in the wake of allegations he has conflicts of interest, released a client list for his consulting business.

Delaware Gets 100 Days; No Deal With Horsemen

Delaware Park was awarded 100 days of live Thoroughbred racing for 2012, but the track has no contract with the Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association for the meet.

PA Horsemen Blast Plan to 'Raid' Slots Fund

The Pennsylvania Equine Coalition has blasted a budget proposal by Gov. Tom Corbett to take roughly $72 million in each of the next three years from the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development Fund to pay for other programs.

Report: Horsemen Intend to Operate Monmouth

The New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association has submitted a plan to the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to lease Monmouth Park beginning this year.

Racing-Related Funds Targeted in MD, PA

Legislation that would divert gaming revenue for horse racing to other sources has been introduced in Maryland, and in Pennsylvania the governor has taken similar action in his 2012-13 state budget.

Oldfriendskentucky Helps Thoroughbred Friends

Standardbred pacer based in Canada is helping raise money for Thoroughbreds in the United States.

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Jockey Club: Progress on McKinsey Report

The Jockey Club has released an update on action it is taking based on recommendations from the McKinsey and Company report unveiled at the Round Table conference in August 2011.

KY Gaming Bill Sidetracked by Filing Deadline

A lawsuit over legislative redistricting and the resulting extension of the filing deadline for the November election has stalled action on a constitutional amendment on expanded gambling in Kentucky.

Beulah Park Will Likely Move to Youngstown

Penn National Gaming Inc. now plans to request to move Beulah Park near Columbus, Ohio, to a site near Youngstown rather than Dayton, according to its latest financial report.

Beshear Sticks With Gambling Amendment Plan

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear said Jan. 31 he expects a casino gambling amendment to be introduced "in a few days," and again accused Republican Sen. President David Williams of attempting to derail the process.

Fairmount Park Purses to Jump 20% in 2012

Fairmount Park and the Illinois Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association have agreed upon an increased purse structure for 2012 thanks to the racetrack's share of casino impact funding it received last year.

Black Caviar Wins 17th Straight With Ease

Undefeated Black Caviar made it look it easy again Jan. 27 with her 17th victory, this time at Moonee Valley in Melbourne, Australia, in the group II MVRC Australia Stakes.

Central Ohio Track First to Get VLT License

A central Ohio racetrack is the first of seven tracks in the state to receive a license to install and operate video lottery terminals.

Agreement Reached on KY Gaming Amendment

The parameters of a constitutional amendment on casino-style gambling in Kentucky have been agreed upon, and legislation will be introduced soon, the governor's office said Jan. 25.

Florida Millions Classic Could Be Just That

The $400,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Classic may lack numbers, but it doesn't lack talent and the potential to be an excellent betting race Jan. 28 at Gulfstream Park.

Horsemen's Simulcast Rights Upheld in OH Case

The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued an opinion Jan. 24 that states the federal Interstate Horseracing Act trumps Ohio statute in regard to horsemen having a say in where races are transmitted.

Turfway Drops Some Stakes to Maintain Purses

The ability to fill a greater number of higher-level races in December has led Turfway Park to trim some stakes toward the end of its 2012 winter/spring meet to meet the purse budget.

PA Gaming Revenue Tops $3 Billion in 2011

Revenue from slot machines and table games at 10 casinos in Pennsylvania in 2011 topped $3 billion for the first time, state officials said Jan. 18.

WV Rules Allow Ejected Licensees to Appeal

The West Virginia Racing Commission, in the wake of a state Supreme Court of Appeals decision, has amended some procedural rules to specifically allow occupational permit holders to appeal racetrack ejections.

Legislators Told KY Racing, Breeding Hurting

Members of the Kentucky General Assembly were told Jan. 18 the state's horse industry remains under siege from competitive forces out of state, and that action must be taken to reverse the slide.

Mott Back on Top as Leading Trainer

Trainer Bill Mott saved the best for last in 2011, and it helped him capture his third Eclipse Award as outstanding trainer in a tight race.

Another Easy Victory for Hansen

A gritty win in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) at Churchill Downs put Hansen squarely in the mix for an Eclipse Award and on Jan. 16 he was honored as champion 2-year-old male.

Major Equine Survey Planned for Kentucky

State and federal organizations are conducting a major survey of the equine population in Kentucky in the hope of developing plans to move the industry forward.

National HBPA Hires Legislative Affairs Team

The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association has hired a Washington, D.C.-based firm to handle its legislative affairs given the organization is no longer a member of the NTRA.

Furosemide 'Myths' Discussed at Convention

Panelists gathered for a Jan. 14 National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association forum said there is no scientific evidence supporting a ban on the use of furosemide on race day.

Case Made for High-Volume Betting Services

Horsemen hashed out the issue of high-volume bettors and rebates Jan. 13, and in the process got a fairly detailed look at their impact on pari-mutuel Thoroughbred racing in the United States.

Laurel to Increase Purses, Sets Stakes Slate

Laurel Park will soon raise purses roughly 10% across the board to a figure that will top the 2011 daily averages at two nearby racetrack casinos with which it competes for horses.

Turfway Returns to Saturday Afternoon Racing

Turfway Park will end its experiment with Saturday night racing effective Jan. 14, when it switches to a 1:10 p.m. first post.

Furosemide Among National HBPA Topics

The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association will tackle several issues, including governmental affairs, high volume pari-mutuel bettors, and use of furosemide on race day during its convention Jan. 12-16.

ADW Tax Bill Introduced in Kentucky House

Legislation that would impose an excise tax on advance deposit wagers made by Kentucky residents was introduced in the state House of Representatives Jan. 9.

Racing-Related Bills Clear NJ Committees

A bill authorizing small offtrack betting operations in bars and restaurants, and another measure giving Atlantic City Race Course a larger chunk of revenue from casino race books, passed New Jersey legislative committees.

KY Governor Says Expanded Gambling a Priority

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, in his state of the Commonwealth address Jan. 4, said a constitutional amendment on expanded gambling is a major priority for the 2012 General Assembly session.

Atlantic City Gets Six Days of Turf Racing

Though the specifics of the Monmouth Park racing schedule for 2012 are undecided, Atlantic City Race Course will offer the customary six days of all turf racing this spring.