Thoroughbred industry participants are formulating a plan to create a foundation that would assist not only disabled jockeys, but others who work on the backstretch in the event of on-the-job injuries.
Thursday, December 09, 2004Tom Meeker, president and chief executive officer of Churchill Downs Inc., told racetrack and gaming officials Tuesday that racing has become a remedy for state deficits rather than a means for economic development.
Tuesday, December 07, 2004The National Thoroughbred Racing Association Wagering Systems Task Force report and a look at emerging pari-mutuel markets are among the topics to be discussed at the University of Arizona Symposium on Racing Dec. 7-10 in Tucson.
Friday, November 05, 2004Every state in the 48 contiguous United States has now experienced a taste of West Nile virus since it first was detected in the Western Hemisphere in 1999.
Wednesday, September 01, 2004Churchill Downs Inc. has received the 2004 Industry Award from the National Council on Problem Gamlbing. The award was presented June 18 at the Conference on the Prevention, Research, and Treattment of Problem Gambling in Phoenix, Ariz.
Friday, June 18, 2004Turf Paradise recorded its best race meet in 48 years by posting gains in both on and off track handle and attendance figures as the 167-day live race meet came to a close May 16 at the Phoenix, Arizona, track.
Monday, May 17, 2004The Arizona Department of Racing approved a pilot program for equine "milkshake" testing and increased the number of ELISA tests to 25 from 15.
Wednesday, March 17, 2004Eight-time stakes winner Taiaslew is the 123-pound highweight in a field of nine entered for the $100,000 Phoenix Gold Cup Handicap for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs March 13 at Turf Paradise in Arizona.
Thursday, March 11, 2004Brazilian champion Straight Flush will stand his first season at stud at Dr. Lee Chatham's Chesterfield Farm near Queen Lake, Ariz.
Monday, December 15, 2003The two regulators' associations in North America, during a Dec. 10 meeting in Tucson, Ariz., discussed a potential merger of operations but didn't come to a firm decision. Still, the talks, which will continue, were categorized as positive.
Saturday, December 13, 2003Wagering outlets and tote providers that fail to comply with security and technological upgrades mandated by the proposed National Office on Wagering Security will find themselves on the outside looking in, officials said Dec. 12 as the University of Arizona Symposium on Racing wrapped up business for 2004.
Friday, December 12, 2003As organizers of the Claiming Crown gear up for the sixth edition of the event in 2004, the focus will be on obtaining sponsorships and getting the races into more wagering outlets around the country. Meanwhile, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association has signed on as a sponsor of the event.
Friday, December 12, 2003The 2020 Committee of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations unanimously decided Dec. 10 to establish a model rule for totalisator systems in the event tote communications are interrupted. The decision stems from incidents in which past-posting has occurred after system failure.
Thursday, December 11, 2003The perception of wrongdoing in racing is strong enough that regulators and marketers must not dismiss it, officials said Dec. 11 during a panel discussion titled "The Changing Environment of Regulation" at the University of Arizona Symposium on Racing.
Thursday, December 11, 2003Self-service wagering terminals tied to young women known as "hotwalkers" are being marketed by Futuristic Technologies, a company headed by Andy Stronach. The concept has generated much talk and looks at the University of Arizona Symposium on Racing, where the company has rolled out the machines, complete with the human touch.
Thursday, December 11, 2003The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium continued its march toward a national model policy on medication and drug testing Dec. 10 when regulators responded favorably to the proposal. But wholesale changes in race-day medication rules around the country aren't expected to take place any time soon.
Wednesday, December 10, 2003Jean Major said he can't argue with the benefits of racetrack slot machines in Ontario, Canada. But he indicated there are two sides to every story, and suggested some procedures to ensure substantive growth in the horse racing industry.
Tuesday, December 09, 2003A top casino official from Las Vegas believes pari-mutuel wagering has its place in casinos, but he believes that position could be jeopardized if the rates charged for signals make simulcasts cost-prohibitive.
Tuesday, December 09, 2003Regulators in the United States will get their first look at a proposed national medication and drug-testing policy Dec. 10, but even if it wins widespread support, it could take some time before any changes are enacted in various jurisdictions.
Tuesday, December 09, 2003Though regulators on Dec. 10 will examine a proposal for a national medication and drug-testing policy, release of the document to the public hinges on how well it is received during the meeting.
Wednesday, November 26, 2003A study that examines the impact of racinos on the racing product will be presented Dec. 9 at the second Racing & Gaming Summit in Tucson, Ariz., the day before the University of Arizona Symposium on Racing begins.
Friday, November 21, 2003Turf Paradise will open its 47th season of live racing with a 169-day meet, running from Sept. 26 through May 16, 2004. Live racing will be conducted five days a week, Friday through Tuesday, with first post set for 12:30 pm.
Tuesday, August 26, 2003Arkansas native Chris Valovich, who rose up from a leading apprentice rider at Oaklawn Park in 1983 to garner more than 2,000 wins in 20 years, was cremated June 24 in Arizona after he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound four days earlier in Phoenix.
Wednesday, June 25, 2003The Racehorse Medication and Testing Consortium formed earlier this year has incorporated as a charitable organization and issued its goals and objectives, one of which has been broadened to include the auction and training aspects of the Thoroughbred business.
Wednesday, December 11, 2002The idea of an industry-owned insurance company was floated during a major meeting on issues such as workers' compensation. Meanwhile, the chairman of the Jockeys' Guild called on the industry for financial support to alleviate a "crisis."
Tuesday, December 10, 2002The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association is prepared to release a revised proposal for a national policy on drug testing and therapeutic medication. The document deals with Class 1, 2, 3, and 4 medications, as well as prohibited practices.
Tuesday, December 10, 2002Can racing and gaming be integrated in one facility? Apparently so, but the final product won't look the same from racetrack to racetrack.
Tuesday, December 10, 2002Four-year-old Al Ghazi, a son of Storm Cat and a $1.35 million Keeneland September yearling, will enter stud at Marvin Fleming's Fleming Thoroughbred Farm near Cashion, Ariz.
Tuesday, December 03, 2002In Arizona, a proposition to allow slot machines at racetracks was soundly defeated by a 4-1 margin.
Wednesday, November 06, 2002Elections in six states Nov. 5 may determine, or at least play a role, in the future of alternative gaming at racetracks.
Sunday, November 03, 2002The Coalition for Arizona, which receives its primary funding from Turf Paradise and the Phoenix Greyhound Park, has introduced "Joe Arizona" as their spokesman to promote Proposition 201, a gaming initiative on the Arizona November ballot that would allow slot machines at racetracks.
Wednesday, September 18, 2002Growth in simulcast wagering helped stabilize Turf Paradise's average daily handle and attendance even though the Phoenix area racetrack ran two more days than it did during its 2000-01 meet.
Tuesday, May 28, 2002Jerry Simms, who purchased Turf Paradise in January 2000 for a reported $53-55 million, sold his stake in the Phoenix racetrack Tuesday. Simms was forced to sell the track by state regulators after the Arizona Department of Racing revoked his licence in October 2001.
Wednesday, February 20, 2002One Thoroughbred race track and three Greyhound race tracks have joined forces to lobby the Arizona Legislature to install video lottery terminals in the their facilities. The group comprises of Turf Paradise, a Thoroughbred track in Phoenix, Tucson Greyhound Park, and American Greyhound Racing, the company that owns both Apache Greyhound Park and Phoenix Greyhound Park.
Wednesday, January 23, 2002The racing industry's quest for uniformity in medication and drug testing continued Wednesday with a lively panel discussion on the issue at the University of Arizona Symposium on Racing in Tucson. Meanwhile, the jury is out as to whether there will be considerable change in Kentucky, a major racing state where officials appear split on the issue.
Wednesday, December 05, 2001Racing industry participants expressed hope Tuesday morning that a five-hour facilitated session on medication would at least serve as a starting point toward uniformity. No one expected radical changes in current policies that vary by jurisdiction in the United States.
Tuesday, December 04, 2001The Arizona Department of Racing has revoked the license of Turf Paradise owner Jerry Simms, the Arizona Republic reported. Regulators cited his alleged ties to organized crime and involvement in a California bribery scandal.
Tuesday, October 02, 2001The second of three pools in Churchill Downs' Kentucky Derby Future Wager is underway and it will offer the first opportunity for racing fans in Arizona to attempt to select the winner of Kentucky Derby 127 weeks in advance of the race.
Thursday, March 08, 2001