Behind a strong quarter that saw 17% revenue growth at its New Jersey online casino, compared with the same quarter a year ago, Betfair reports a 25% revenue growth in its U.S. operations for the three months ended Jan. 31.
Because of severe winter weather conditions, or expected winter weather, racing for March 5 has been canceled at Aqueduct Racetrack, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, and Oaklawn Park.
After an encouraging start in terms of pari-mutuel wagering in January, handle on U.S. races plummeted in February compared with the same month in 2014, a decline that dropped 2015's handle behind last year's pace
Two federal agencies have issued a notice that opens the door to the possible addition of pari-mutuel gambling winnings to updated reporting and withholding requirements being developed for bingo, keno, and slot machines.
The Breeders' Cup announced Feb. 27 that West Point Thoroughbreds has been named official partner of the Breeders' Cup World Championships and presenting sponsor of the Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge.
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Swale Stakes (gr. II). read blog
Streaking champion 2-year-old filly Take Charge Brandi is a narrow choice as the favored individual horse, but the ever-popular mutuel field is the morning-line favorite in Kentucky Oaks Future Wager odds.
A pair of 3-year-olds trained by Bob Baffert are the top individual choices according to the morning line for this weekend's Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool, the third of four Derby future wagers that will be offered.
J. Keeler Johnson recaps last weekend's Kentucky Derby prep races. read blog
Tom LaMarra and Frank Angst preview the Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park. Watch Video
The chief executive officer of TVG, on the heels of the announcement owner Betfair has purchased rival HRTV from The Stronach Group, said Feb. 18 the company plans to maintain both networks and market them accordingly.
Betfair and The Stronach Group announced Feb. 18 that TVG will assume operations of HRTV, bringing together the two competitors that televise North American and some international horse races.
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots explains a confusing situation leading to the decision to reprice payouts following a race Feb. 13.
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the El Camino Real Derby (gr. III). read blog
J. Keeler Johnson recaps the San Antonio showdown and a great weekend of Derby preps. read blog
The "All Others" option was the 5-2 betting favorite as the second pool of the 2015 Kentucky Derby Future Wager came to a close Feb. 8. Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) winner Texas Red emerged as the top individual choice.
Gulfstream Park handicappers Ron Nicoletti and Christina Bossinakis have studied the Xpressbet $500,000 X-Country Pick 4, which includes top Feb. 7 stakes races at Gulfstram Park and Santa Anita Park.
The Stronach Group remains optimistic about the future of the horse racing industry in North America and will continue to push for what it believes are fundamental structural changes needed to move the business forward.
J. Keeler Johnson previews the Donn Handicap, San Antonio Stakes and more! read blog
Claire Novak and Frank Angst preview the San Antonio Stakes featuring California Chrome, Shared Belief, and Hoppertunity. Watch Video
In a jump that could be related to larger average field sizes, pari-mutuel handle improved 1.52% in January compared with the same month last year, according to Thoroughbred racing economic indicators released by Equibase.
While the "all others" option figures to emerge as the favorite, it will be interesting to see where the public settles in terms of an individual favorite in the upcoming Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool Feb. 6-8.
Claire Novak and Tom LaMarra preview the Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park, and the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) at Tampa Bay Downs. Watch Video
National Thoroughbred Racing Association officials met with a representative of the United States Department of Treasury Jan. 28 to discuss the racing industry's efforts to alter the pari-mutuel withholding tax structure.
Online wagering provider Xpressbet, in conjunction with Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park, and The Stronach Group, unveils a new Pick 4 wager Feb. 7 featuring four important stakes races at the two tracks.
John O'Neil of Huntington Station, N.Y., topped a field of 606 entrants to win the $800,000 first-place prize and an Eclipse Award as at the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship Jan. 23-25
Bob Neumeier, the longtime NBC Sports handicapper and Boston sportscaster, won the inaugural NTRA NHC Charity Challenge Jan. 24, less than three months after suffering serious stroke.
A record field of 606 entrants will compete for more than $2.36 million, the largest purse in handicapping tournament history, and an Eclipse Award at the 16th National Handicapping Championship Jan. 23-25.
Claire Novak and Frank Angst handicap the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park on January 24, 2015. watch video
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has announced that Mike Mayo and Ron Rippey have been selected to the inaugural class of the National Handicapping Championship Hall of Fame.
Will the California-based 3yos of 2015 dominate the Triple Crown? J. Keeler Johnson shares his thoughts. read blog
EquiLottery, which aims to link state lotteries with pari-mutuel pools, moved forward in Kentucky Jan. 8 when state Sen. Julie Raque Adams (R-Louisville) filed a bill that would permit such a collaboration.
The Thoroughbred Racing Associations has announced Clearwater Beach, Fla., as the host city for the 23rd annual International Simulcast Conference. The 2015 conference will be held at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort, Oct. 5-7.
How big an impact do the early Kentucky Derby prep races have on the Derby itself? read blog
Pari-mutuel handle on U.S. races declined 2.84% in 2014, marking the seventh time in eight years that fewer dollars have been wagered.
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Jerome Stakes (gr. III), the first Kentucky Derby prep race of 2015. read blog
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Los Alamitos Futurity (gr. I). read blog
Claire Novak and special guest Ellis Starr of Equibase preview the Los Alamitos Futurity (gr. I) featuring Dortmund, Mr. Z, and Firing Line. Watch Video
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Starlet Stakes (gr. I) at Los Alamitos. read blog
Claire Novak and Tom LaMarra preview the Starlet Stakes (gr. I) at Los Alamitos featuring Take Charge Brandi. Watch Video
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association said Dec. 11 the 2015 Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship Tour will offer record prize money of $250,000, up 25% from 2014.
As wagering outlets, racetracks, and other industry entities enter the mobile market, it is important they listen to customers' needs and take care to make sure new apps address those wishes.
As U.S. racing faces the challenge of shaping race days and meets and maintaining field sizes at a time when foal crops are shrinking, experts said tracks and horsemen need to remember to keep the customer in the equation.
Panel discusses field-size challenges and possible solutions on the first morning of the 2014 University of Arizona Global Symposium on Racing & Gaming Dec. 9 in Tucson, Ariz.
A war of words in a dispute between two cooperatives that negotiate simulcast fees continued Dec. 8 when the MidAtlantic Cooperative, which represents 23 racetracks, said Monarch Content Management misstated facts.
It appears doubtful that an impasse between the company that controls the simulcast rights for Gulfstream Park and a cooperative representing 23 tracks in the Mid-Atlantic region will be resolved in time for the Dec. 6 start.
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Bayakoa Stakes (gr. II) at Los Alamitos. read blog
Citing its mobile channel as a key driver, Betfair reports that its U.S.-based advance deposit wagering company TVG enjoyed a 15% spike in handle for the six months ended Oct. 31.
Simulcast players in the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond looking forward to betting important meetings in California and Florida this week may have to wait.
Louisville Courier-Journal turf writer Jennie Rees previews the 2-year-old stakes races at Churchill Downs on November 29. Watch Video
