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RCI Approves Uniform Racing Medication Rules

Racing Commissioners International gave final approval April 2 to the "RCI Controlled Therapeutic Medication Schedule," setting the stage for uniform implementation of racing medication rules in the U.S.

What's Going On Here: One Step Forward...

The Kentucky HBPA's statement wasn't the one it hoped to make.

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Gulfstream Park to Hold Quarter Horse Race

Gulfstream Park has scheduled a Quarter Horse race for April 8, and is doing that in what the track's president and general manager Timothy Ritvo said is an effort to make sure that it can retain its permit for such racing.

Gulfstream Quarter Horse Plan Questioned

A key Florida horsemen's association could take legal action against Gulfstream Park over decision to run Quarter Horse races during Thoroughbred meet.

Hanrahan Named New CEO of National HBPA

Attorney and retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Phil Hanrahan has been named chief executive officer of the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.

Ellis Park Wants 252 Instant Racing Terminals

Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky., has submitted an application for regulatory approval to conduct Instant Racing, stipulating that it would use more than 13,200 square feet of its facility to house 252 gaming terminals.

Ruling Could Affect Drug-Testing Regulations

A recent New York Supreme Court ruling invalidating that state's out-of-competition equine drug-testing could have implications in other jurisdictions and the Thoroughbred racing industry.

Jockey Club Strongly Urges Drug-Free Racing

Jockey Club president James Gagliano reiterates call for ban on race-day medications.

Suffolk, NEHBPA Dialogue Is 'Constructive'

Suffolk Downs and the New England Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association continued to negotiate Feb. 18 and indications are that the two sides are creeping closer to common ground on a contract for 2011.

NEHBPA Set to Offer Suffolk Counterproposal

The New England Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association was prepared to offer a counterproposal to the management of Suffolk Downs Feb. 9 in an attempt to get back to the bargaining table and end their dispute.

Fallout From NEHBPA, Suffolk Dispute Spreads

While the New England Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association board of directors held a closed door meeting the night of Feb. 8, others were feeling the fallout from the ongoing and bitter dispute with Suffolk Downs.

NEHBPA Pulls NYRA Signal From Suffolk

The New England chapter of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association has withdrawn its consent for races from the New York Racing Association to be simulcast at Suffolk Downs.

KY Panel Approves Out-of-Competition Testing

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, operating on a tight schedule, approved a regulation Sept. 7 governing out-of-competition equine drug testing with plans to have it in place in advance of the Nov. 5-6 Breeders' Cup.

PA Study: Negative Impact of Table Games

A study commissioned by the Pennsylvania Equine Coalition contends that the introduction of table games at Pennsylvania casinos and racinos will result in a decline of slot machine wagering of between 8% and 13%, potentially resulting in a decline in state revenues.

HBPA Winter Convention to Precede Symposium

The 2009 National Horsemen's Benevolence and Protective Association will hold its Winter Convention in conjunction with the Symposium on Racing & Gaming at the Westin La Paloma Resort in Tucson, Arizona this year.

Pinnacle May Negotiate More Race Dates

After some negotiations with different Thoroughbred groups, it appears Pinnacle Race Course near Detroit, Mich. may survive after all.

Michigan Gov. Slashes Thoroughbred Funding

After an executive order from Gov. Jennifer Granholm that 100% of the $1.4 million earmarked for Michigan's Thoroughbred programs for 2009 would be used instead to deal with the state's immense budget deficit, local horsemen feared their industry would die a quick death.

Calder, Horsemen Reach Purse Agreement

Calder Race Course announced April 16 that it has signed a 2009 purse contract agreement with the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. The Miami Gardens, Fla., track and its parent, Churchill Downs Inc., reached the agreement with the Florida HBPA on the evening of April 15.

Catastrophic Injuries Spike at Turfway

After going a month with no fatalities, Turfway Park in Northern Kentucky was the site of five catastrophic injuries during an eight-day period in February, according to state veterinarian Dr. Bryce Peckham.

Judge: 'Tough Issues' in CDI Lawsuit

A federal judge presiding over the antitrust lawsuit filed by Churchill Downs Inc. against horsemen's groups basically said Feb. 19 he has his work cut out for him in trying to resolve the complex issues involved in the case.

KTA Dismissed from CDI Lawsuit

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and its executive director have been dismissed from the federal antitrust lawsuit brought by Churchill Downs Inc. against multiple horsemen's groups.

Jockey Club Member MacMillen Dead

William C. MacMillen Jr., a member of The Jockey Club, died Jan. 8.

Former HBPA President Bailey Dead

Charles "Chuck" Bailey, former president of Mountaineer Park's Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, died Jan. 3 after a long battle with cancer.

Youbet to Take Bets on Gulfstream Meet

Youbet.com has reached an agreement to take bets on Gulfstream Park for that track's meet which begins on Jan. 3, Sam Gordon, president of the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, said Dec. 30.

Tampa Signal Available to Most ADWs

Wagering on Tampa Bay Downs' 83rd live meet, which opens Dec. 13, will be available to most advance deposit wagering outlets, the Oldsmar, Fla., track announced Dec. 12.

LHBPA Lawsuit Moved to Federal Court

A styled class-action lawsuit leveling allegations of fraud and embezzlement against the president of the Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association has been transferred to federal court, according to recently filed documents.

Trainer Richard C. Gonzalez Dead

Trainer Richard C. Gonzalez died Oct. 4 at Steubenville, Ohio, after battling cancer.

Calder Cuts Purses; Eliminates Stakes

Calder Race Course has announced another major cut in purses and the cancellation of eight $100,000 stakes races. The track, in a release, said it was trimming overnight purses by 17% effective Sept. 18.

Claiming Crown Attracts 84 Pre-Entries

Eighty-four horses, representing 17 different U.S. states and one Canadian province, were pre-entered July 23 for the 2008 Claiming Crown, which will take place Aug. 2 at Canterbury Park.

Calder Announces 'Summit' Nominations

Sixty-three horses, including IEAH Stable's Benny the Bull, have been nominated.

Horsemen's Request on Purses Denied

A federal judge in Louisville on June 16 denied the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association's request for a preliminary injunction to require Churchill Downs Inc. to consult with it before cutting purses at Churchill Downs.

ADWs Lose Presque Isle Downs Signal

Presque Isle Downs is the latest track to get caught up in the battle over revenue sharing of online and telephone wagering companies as signals to many advance deposit wagering companies were cut off May 11 due to lack of agreements with the Pennsylvania Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.

THG Adds Members, TOBA Support

Seven new organizations representing owners and trainers in states including Kentucky, Florida, and Maryland have joined the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Group, with a mutual goal of reforming the industry's wagering revenue distribution system in order to sustain live racing in North America.

Youbet Settles Lawsuit in Virginia

A federal lawsuit between Youbet.com and several entities associated with Virginia racing has been settled, resulting in a renewed effort by the advance deposit wagering company to become licensed in the state.

Vet Rules Struck Down in Louisiana

The Louisiana Senate Commerce Committee has struck down the state racing commission's adoption of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium Model Rules, according to the Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.

Youbet Shut Out From Gulfstream

A contentious standoff over Gulfstream Park's racing signal has brought a chilling end to any warm fuzzies felt from the recent broad distribution deals emerging out of California, New Jersey, and New York.

Calder Cuts Purses, Upsets HBPA

Lower than expected handle and attendance has forced Calder Race Course to reduce its daily purses by approximately $10,000 beginning with races scheduled for Nov. 15.

Funkhouser Allowed to Run Horses in W. Va. Breeders' Classic

Randy Funkhouser, prominent horse owner and president of the Charles Town Horsemen's Benevolent Association, was told Oct. 16 he would be able to run his horses in the Oct. 20 West Virginia Breeders' Cup Classic.

Funkhouser Still Has Chance to Race Horses in 'Classics'

At an Oct. 9 hearing in Kanawha County, W.V., Circuit Court, Judge Charles King ruled that Randy Funkhouser, president of the Charles Town Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, would be allowed to enter his horses in the Oct. 20 West Virginia Breeders' Cup Classic pending the results of an independent arbiter's hearing.

TVG to Televise Claiming Crown, Donate All Fees to the Event

TVG said July 26 it will televise the Old National Bank Claiming Crown, to be held Aug. 4 at Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky., and will accept all wagers on the event on a non-profit basis.

Fair Grounds Accepting Stall Applications

Fair Grounds Race Course is now accepting stall applications for the 2006-07 racing season, its first back in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina.

Ellis Park 2006 Race Dates Tabled for Now

Ellis Park is seeking to reduce its number of race days per week in 2006 from five to four, but approval of the change has been stalled by opposition from the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protection Agency.

Horsemen Around the Country to Participate in Hurricane Relief

Racetracks and horsemen's organizations from around the United States will participate in the NTRA's "Racing to the Rescue Day" Oct. 8 to provide financial relief to members of the horseracing and breeding community who have been affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The Jockey Club Foundation Donates $100,000 to Hurricane Relief

The Jockey Club Foundation, which assists needy individuals throughout the Thoroughbred racing industry, has made a $100,000 contribution to the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts being spearheaded by two industry organizations.

Relief Effort Continues at Kentucky Horse Park

Individuals and businesses in the Central Kentucky region have until 7 p.m. Friday to donate urgently needed supplies to the National Horse Center at the Kentucky Horse Park for horses and horse industry people affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Owning Up

By Ray Paulick - Owner apathy. It's what Ed Friendly called the biggest obstacle to his successful effort a decade ago to overthrow the status quo and form the Thoroughbred Owners of California, the first and surprisingly only state organization to strictly represent horse owners in negotiations with racetracks on important matters such as purse contracts and simulcasting.

Central Kentucky-Based Equine Groups Organize Katrina Relief Effort

The National Horse Center, which is a collection of two dozen national and regional equine organizations located at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., together with the park are sending out a plea for items to help the horses and horsemen who are victims of Hurricane Katrina.

National HBPA Makes Appeal for Assistance in Louisiana

In an open letter to horsemen across the country, the National Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association is making an appeal on the behalf of displaced Louisiana horsemen.

Exceller Fund Provides New Avenue for Finger Lakes Horse Adoption

New York area residents now have a new place to look for Thoroughbreds who can be retrained as hunter/jumper, dressage and pleasure horses.

Groom Elite Program to be Offered in Kentucky

This spring, Churchill Downs and the Klein Family Learning Center/WinStar Library and Classrooms (Learning Center) will offer The Groom Elite ™ Program, which has never been offered in Kentucky. The program, which can host 30 grooms at a time, will begin May 10. The program is free to students and is sponsored by the Kentucky Derby Museum and the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.