BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Geary To Receive Warner L. Jones Jr. Award

Ron Geary, owner and president of Ellis Park, has been named the 25th winner of the Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year Award given by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners Association.

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.

Sign Points to Good Things in Pocahontas

Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider's homebred Sign overcame a sluggish start and powered home to win the $168,150 Pocahontas (gr. II) by four lengths on opening day of Churchill Downs' fall meet Oct. 28.

Uncaptured Shakes Free in Impressive Iroquois

Uncaptured overcame some traffic problems to register a convincing 5 1/2-length win in the $114,800 Iroquois Stakes (gr. III) Oct. 28 at Churchill Downs for his fifth win in six tries this year.

Fort Larned Puts in Final BC Classic Move

In his final major training move for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park, Whitney Handicap (gr. I) winner Fort Larned breezed a bullet five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 Oct. 28 at Churchill Downs.

Experienced Danalake Set for Pocahontas

Trained by Todd Pletcher for Sheldon Nitenson, 2-year-old filly Danalake finished first or second in her four starts at Delaware and now will ship to Churchill Downs for the Pocahontas Stakes.

Lopez, Rocco Jr., Cohen Join Churchill Colony

The jockey colony at Churchill Downs will get more competitive this fall with the addition of Paco Lopez, Joe Rocco Jr., and David Cohen, who are scheduled to ride their first full meet at the Louisville track.

Kentucky Approves Major Schedule Changes

The schedule shifts September racing dates from Turfway Park in Northern Kentucky to Churchill in Louisville. February will offer just four race dates in the state, at Turfway Park.

Golden Ticket to Bypass Breeders' Cup

Golden Ticket, dead-heat winner of the Travers Stakes (gr. I), was not pre-entered in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) and will be out for an undetermined period of time, trainer Ken McPeek said Oct. 23.

New York Will Review Tote Service Deal

New York state, in the first full day controlling the New York Racing Association, said it will review a tentative deal track officials previously made to replace United Tote as NYRA's totalizator contractor.

Churchill VP of Racing Richardson Leaving

Churchill Downs Inc. announced Oct. 19 that Senior Vice President of Racing Donnie Richardson will leave the company at the end of the year.

Churchill Downs Gets OK for September Dates

After last-minute horse-trading and some tough compromises, Kentucky's five Thoroughbred tracks have reached agreement on a 2013 calendar that drastically alters the traditional schedule.

Gay New Churchill Downs Interactive President

James E. "Ted" Gay has been named president of Churchill Downs Interactive, Churchill Downs Inc. officials announced Oct. 8.

Veitch Moves Forward With Appeal

Former Kentucky Chief Steward John Veitch is appealing a circuit court decision upholding his one-year suspension and aspects of his firing.

Hey, Kentucky: Think Before You Act

This year's vote on racing dates in Kentucky has serious ramifications. Does everyone understand them?

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And They're Off: Octoberfest Edition

Steve and Lenny examine the BC Ladies' Classic, Juvenile Fillies, I'll Have Another, Aqueduct and the Illinois Derby. Plus a list of the top 10 things Churchill will do if it take's over NYRA. Sponsored by Darby Dan Farm.

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Churchill Applies for September Race Dates

After much deliberating, KHRC committee members voted to reconvene at a later date to make their final recommendations for 2013 race dates in question to the full commission, which meets Oct. 17.

Trainer Calhoun Suspended 30 Days in Kentucky

Stewards at Turfway Park have slapped trainer Bret Calhoun with a 30-day suspension after a horse in his care tested positive for the prohibited anti-hypertension drug Guanabenz following a win at Churchill Downs May 26.

KY Derby Points System Launches Sept. 29

The revamped "Road to the Kentucky Derby" series kicks off Sept. 29 with points awarded to the top four finishers in the Juddmonte Royal Lodge (Eng-II) at Newmarket and the FrontRunner Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park.

Little Mike, Silver Max Work for Engagements

Trainer Dale Romans sent Arlington Million (gr. IT) winner Little Mike and stablemate Silver Max through works at Churchill Downs Sept. 22, preparing the turf contenders for upcoming starts in New York and Kentucky.

2013 Kentucky Derby, Oaks Logos Unveiled

Churchill Downs has released the official logos for the 2013 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and has begun selling merchandise featuring the new logos.

Jockey Club Gold Cup Contenders, Others Work

It was a busy morning for top-tier workers in New York and Kentucky Sept. 15, as Ron the Greek, Flat Out, Atigun and Golden Ticket turned in upstate moves at Saratoga while Dullahan and Little Mike did the same at Churchill.

Codere Signs Alliance with United Tote

In a move to provide future expansion at tracks in Latin America, international gaming company Codere announced the signing of a strategic alliance agreement with United Tote Sept. 13.

KY Dates Requests Could Be Controversial

Churchill Downs could apply for live racing dates in September 2013, opening the door to what could be controversial discussions over the future makeup of the Kentucky Thoroughbred racing circuit.

Shackleford to Miss Forego

Multiple grade I winner Shackleford will not run in the $500,000 Forego Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course Sept. 1, trainer Dale Romans said the morning of the race.

Calder Begins Tropical Meet; Purses May Rise

Calder Casino & Race Course will open its annual Tropical Meet on Sept. 1, and over its 65 race days will have six graded stakes and 15 other stakes with purses of $100,000 or higher.

ROAP Certificate Program at Arlington Park

The inaugural certificate program offered by the Racing Officials Accreditation Program is scheduled for Sept. 28-29 at Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, Ill.

Kentucky Tries to Reduce Fatalities

The veterinary staff of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has added some additional protocols to its operations in an effort to cut down on the number of equine fatalities at the state's tracks.

Churchill Increases Kentucky Downs Investment

Churchill Downs Inc. has invested at least an additional $1 million in Kentucky Downs, the track in South Central Kentucky that has reaped millions in revenues from Instant Racing machines introduced last fall.

Reduced Clark 'Cap Heads Churchill Fall Meet

The Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. I) heads a schedule of 12 stakes races with total purses of $1.8 million set for the Oct. 28-Nov. 25 fall meet at Churchill Downs, but the purse will be reduced.

David Lehr New Churchill Track Superintendent

Churchill Downs has appointed David Lehr track superintendent and senior director of track surfaces, a post he will assume immediately.

'Mansion' Replaces Media Center at Churchill

A planned new venue at Churchill Downs will replace the area that has largely served as the track's media center since 2005, it was announced July 31.

Stealcase Works Way into Haskell Lineup

After working five furlongs July 22 at Saratoga Racecourse, John C. Oxley's Stealcase has been added to the field for the $1 million Haskell Invitational Handicap (gr. I) at Monmouth Park.

Hearing Set on Veitch's Appeal of Suspension

A Kentucky Circuit Court judge has scheduled a hearing on former chief Kentucky racing steward John Veitch's request for the court to reverse his one-year suspension stemming from the Life At Ten case.

Dullahan Remains on Course for Haskell

Trainer Dale Romans says Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) winner Dullahan remains right on schedule to make his next start in the $1 million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) July 29.

Arlington Park Handle, Purses Spike

A number of initiatives, including a refocused marketeting plan and working with other Chicago area teams and companies, has led to a resurgence in business at Arlington Park, one of North America's most iconic racetracks.

Kentucky Reaping Benefits of Instant Racing

When Kentucky Downs conducts its short, all-turf meet in September, it will offer some of the most lucrative purses in the Bluegrass State this year, thanks to the success of Instant Racing.

Big Reward - by Evan Hammonds

Evansville, Ind., native lights up the Churchill Downs meeting with Guys Reward

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Injured Velazquez Continuing to Heal

Jockeys' Guild chairman John Velazquez announced July 9 that he is continuing to heal from a spill in June at Churchill Downs and expects to begin exercising horses in about a week.

Churchill Downs Spring Meet Handle Declines

After posting record wagering on this year's Kentucky Derby and Oaks, the 38-day spring meet at Churchill Downs ended with a 3.31% decline in total and average daily handle.

Economic Indicators: Healthy Gains in June

North American racing continues on its road to recovery from the economic downturn as pari-mutuel handle, purses, and race days all posted healthy gains for the month of June, according to Equibase.

Churchill Gives Nearly $200,000 to Charities

Churchill Downs has presented checks totaling nearly $200,000 to fundraising partners who joined the track in the celebrations of the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) Friday, May 4, and the third annual "Taste of Derby" party May 3.

Guys Reward Sparkles in Soggy Firecracker Win

Guys Reward, stalking three wide into the stretch on a soggy Churchill Downs turf course, drew clear approaching the furlong pole to win the closing night Firecracker Handicap (gr. IIT) by two lengths July 1.

Unbeaten Circle Unbroken Takes Bashford Manor

Circle Unbroken survived an objection after turning in a game performance in the $109,800 Bashford Manor Stakes (gr. III) to remain unbeaten June 30 at Churchill Downs.

Lanerie Wraps Up First Churchill Riding Title

After finishing second in the jockey standings in three of the last four racing meets at Churchill Downs, veteran Corey Lanerie has clinched his first local riding title to cap off a phenomenal spring stand.

Sellers Injures Shoulder in Churchill Fall

Jockey Shane Sellers was still experiencing pain in his right shoulder the morning after he was injured in a fall in the ninth race at Churchill Downs and taken to Norton Audubon Hospital in Louisville June 29.

Japan's Fukunaga Launches Summer Tour

Leading Japanese jockey Yuichi Fukunaga will ride the weekend of June 30-July 1 at Churchill Downs before launching a summer engagement at Southern California tracks.

Turallure Towers Over Firecracker Field

Four D Stable's homebred Turallure seeks his first win of 2012 in the $150,000 Firecracker Handicap (gr. IIT) July 1 at Churchill Downs, taking on five other older turf contenders as the 122-pound highweight.

Evening Cards for Remainder of Churchill Meet

Churchill Downs officials will adjust post times and race exclusively in the evening for the final three days of the 2012 spring meet due to looming near-record triple-digit heat in the forecast for Louisville.

Churchill Downs Cancels Racing for June 28

Churchill Downs has canceled live racing for June 28 because of predicted triple-digit temperatures.