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KY Salix Meeting: More Questions Than Answers

During an oddly lopsided meeting on a proposal to phase-out use of furosemide on race day in listed and graded stakes in Kentucky, proponents of the therapeutic anti-bleeding medication made their case. But it may not matter.

Churchill, Hancock in Athletic Hall of Fame

Churchill Downs and Seth Hancock of Claiborne Farm are among the 2012 inductees to the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame.

Grade I Winner/Producer Madcap Escapade Dies

Madcap Escapade, a grade I winner whose first foal developed into a grade I winner, died June 2 of colic. She was owned by Bruce Lunsford and John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farms.

Old Friends Holds Reception for Rapid Redux

Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement facility in Georgetown, Ky., hosted a welcome reception and press conference for media and fans to meet new retiree Rapid Redux June 1 .

Canadian-Based Simmard Wins Louisville H.

Canadian-based Simmard took the lead at the head of the stretch and held off Joinem to win the $115,200 Louisville Handicap (gr. IIIT) in stakes record time at Churchill Downs May 26.

Overnight Purses Boosted 10% at Churchill

Citing higher than expected all-sources wagering during Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) week, Churchill Downs announced a 10% increase in overnight purses effective May 28.

Twenty-Two Candidates Vie in BC Election

An election for the Breeders' Cup board of members will begin June 4.

Industry Voices - Call to Action

Kentucky needs a game-changer. Its equine economy is at stake.

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Kentucky Sets Town Hall Meeting on Salix

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has scheduled a town hall meeting for June 5 to discuss the proposed three-year phase-out of the race-day drug furosemide.

Graded Winner Keertana Retired

Barbara Hunter's homebred Keertana, who last year became the first female to win the Louisville Handicap (gr. IIIT) since Our Request in 1951, has been retired from racing.

No Middle Ground in Battle Over Salix Use?

There doesn't seem to be any middle ground in the debate over the anti-bleeding drug furosemide, and it seems doubtful the two sides will come together any time soon.

Grade II Winner Dean's Kitten Retired

Dean's Kitten, a grade II winner and a stakes winner all three years he raced, has been retired from racing after suffering a bowed tendon while being prepared for his 5-year-old debut.

Turfway Aftercare Program Mails First Checks

The Turfway Aftercare Program has written its first checks, sending funds to four racehorse adoption groups in April and May. The program was developed last year to assist groups that accept retiring racehorses.

Vets Report Safe Kentucky Oaks and Derby

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission reported successful Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) programs from an equine safety standpoint.

KY Downs Instant Racing Handle Near $82M

More than $81.95 million was bet through Instant Racing machines at Kentucky Downs from Sept. 1, 2011, through April 30, 2012, according to the latest figures from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Split Over Race-Day Salix Continues in KY

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission May 16 kept alive a proposed regulation to phase out over three years race-day furosemide for graded and listed stakes, but not before the Equine Drug Research Council voted to reject it.

Paddy O'Prado Back at Spendthrift

Grade I winner Paddy O'Prado is back at B. Wayne Hughes' Spendthrift Farm near Lexington following colic surgery May 11 at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute near Lexington.

Bodemeister Headed to Pimlico for Preakness

Bodemeister is headed to the Preakness (gr. I) to challenge I'll Have Another after their memorable finish in the Kentucky Derby Presented By Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Albarado Pleads Not Guilty to Assault Charges

Jockey Robby Albarado entered a not-guilty plea in Jefferson County, Ky., District Court May 8 in connection with his arrest May 4 on assault charges.

CDI Reports First-Quarter Gain in Earnings

Churchill Downs Inc. reported net earnings of $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2012, a reversal from a $3.2 million loss during the first three months of 2011.

KHRC to Discuss, But Not Vote on, Salix Plan

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission confirmed it will discuss but not take final action May 16 on a proposal for the three-year phase-out of race-day furosemide in graded and listed stakes.

Trainer Doug O'Neill: 'It's All Just Surreal'

As he basked in the glow of winning the Kentucky Derby, trainer Doug O'Neill said the morning of May 6 that he gets "goosebumps" when thinking about the possibility of I'll Have Another becoming the next Triple Crown winner.

Churchill Sets Handle Records for Derby Day

In addition to record attendance, Churchill Downs reported record all-sources wagering of $187 million for its 13-race Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) program May 5.

Hungry Island Rallies for Distaff Turf Win

Emory A. Hamilton's Hungry Island collared Tapitsfly in the final furlong and went on to score a one-length victory in the $223,400 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (gr. IIT) May 5.

David Parrish of Indian Creek Dies

David C. Parrish Jr., an important player in the horse business and insurance business in Central Kentucky, died May 2 in Paris, Ky., because of complications from Parkinson's disease.

Romans, Culver Talk Racehorse Ownership

Trainer Dale Romans and owner Jim Culver discussed Thoroughbred ownership and the relationship between owners and trainers during a seminar hosted by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association May 3.

Trainer: No Plans to Scratch Creative Cause

As the rumor mill, fueled by Twitter reports, swirled around Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) contender Creative Cause the morning of May 4, trainer Mike Harrington said there were no plans to scratch the colt.

Hansen Survived His Mother to Achieve Acclaim

If horses celebrated Mother's Day, 3-year-old Hansen probably wouldn't ever give his winning dam, Stormy Sunday, a present.

Phillips Named to Kentucky Racing Commission

Darby Dan Farms owner John Phillips has been appointed to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission as a replacement for John Ward Jr., who recently was hired as executive director of the regulatory agency.

Creative Cause a Big Deal for Breeder Weigel

James Weigel feels blessed that a horse he bred, Creative Cause, is scheduled to run in the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented By Yum! Brands (gr. I). The 3-year-old son of Giant's Causeway is 12-1 on the morning line.

Breeders' Cup Hoping 'Best Is Yet to Come'

Breeders' Cup marketing will have new look in the lead up to the 2012 World Championships at Santa Anita Park.

Doubles Partner Seeks Trip in Turf Classic

Doubles Partner, third in the April 13 Makers 46 Mile (gr. IT) at Keeneland after an unfortunate trip, returns to one of his favorite grass courses for the $500,000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. IT) at Churchill May 5.

Race-Day Drugs, Regulation Discussed by Panel

The racing industry is closer to uniformity in drug regulations and penalties than many admit, but agreement on race-day anti-bleeding drugs in a "toxic" environment will require some heavy lifting, officials said May 2.

Woodford Is Rooting for Its Derby 'Daddy'

Daddy Long Legs was foaled and raised at John and Susan Sykes' Woodford Thoroughbreds.

Harrington: Creative Cause's Work 'Perfect'

Trainer Mike Harrington called Creative Cause's workout "perfect in my book" after the gray/roan colt covered a half-mile in :47 4/5 at Churchill Downs April 30 over a fast track.

Guaranteed Pick 6 Pools on Derby, Oaks Days

Churchill Downs announced it has partnered with TwinSpires.com to offer guaranteed Pick 6 pools for the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Derby Hopeful Trinniberg Full of Surprises

Trinniberg has never raced farther than seven furlongs. He might be the best 3-year-old sprinter in the land. But according to his owner, Shivananda Parbhoo, the son of Teuflesberg has the ability to go long.

Five Derby Horses Breeze at Churchill Downs

It was a warm, humid day at Churchill Downs on Monday, April 30, and the track was fast as a handful of contenders for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands went through their final workouts.

Workout Will Determine Mark Valeski's Status

Trainer Larry Jones says a workout by Mark Valeski will determine whether the Proud Citizen colt will be entered in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Three Work at Churchill in Advance of Oaks

Sacristy, Oaks Lily, and Yara worked at Churchill Downs April 27 in advance of the May 4 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).

KY Court to Act Quickly on Instant Racing

The Kentucky Court of Appeals is expected to issue an opinion on the challenge to Instant Racing machines in four to six weeks, one of three judges said April 25 after hearing oral arguments on the issue.

Thoroughbreds for All! Event Set for April 28

An educational and social event called Thoroughbreds For All! is slated take place at West Wind Farm in Lexington April 28.

Shadwell Stallion Kayrawan Pensioned

Kayrawan, who stood the majority of his stallion career at Sheikh Hamdan's Shadwell Farm near Lexington, has been pensioned from stallion duty because of a recent cardiac issue.

Rumored Calumet Farm Sale Still Unconfirmed

As rumors in Central Kentucky continue to swirl about the possible sale of historic Calumet Farm, people are talking -- but not saying much other than the farm has not been sold.

Havre de Grace, Oatsee Named KY Champions

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders has named Havre de Grace the 2011 Horse of the Year and champion older female.

Undefeated Princess Arabella Retired

Undefeated Princess Arabella, decisive winner of the Sunland Park Oaks, will not advance to the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). The daughter of Any Given Saturday will instead be retired, according to trainer Bob Baffert.

Derby, Oaks Mobile Application Launched

Churchill Downs has launched an enhanced free mobile application for select smartphones and tablets that run the iPhone and Android operating systems for this year's Kentucky Derby and Oaks.

Nicholson to Retire as President of Keeneland

Nick Nicholson will retire Sept. 1 as president and chief executive officer of Keeneland, and will be replaced by Bill Thomason, the association's vice president and chief financial officer.

La Gran Bailadora Back for More at Keeneland

Tracy Farmer's La Gran Bailadora, fifth in last year's Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare Stakes (gr. III) after a slow start, will give it another try April 20 in the 1 1/16-mile stakes for fillies and mares at Keeneland.

Proposed KY Salix Ban Fails on Split Vote

An effort to make Kentucky the first state to ban the anti-bleeder medication furosemide for racing purposes failed April 16 when the state's Horse Racing Commission voted 7-7 not to approve it.