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Racing-Related Funds Targeted in MD, PA

Legislation that would divert gaming revenue for horse racing to other sources has been introduced in Maryland, and in Pennsylvania the governor has taken similar action in his 2012-13 state budget.

Preakness' InfieldFest Attracts Big Names

The Maryland Jockey Club announced 2012 Preakness InfieldFest will include performances by Grammy Award nominees Maroon 5 and Wiz Khalifa.

Maryland Jockey Club to Honor Rapid Redux

The Maryland Jockey Club will honor the connections of Rapid Redux Feb. 18 at Laurel Park. Rapid Redux has won 22 consecutive races, including a perfect 19-for-19 season a year ago, and took home a pair of national awards.

Owner Appeals DQ in Maryland Stakes

An attorney representing horse owner James Riccio has filed an appeal of the disqualification of King and Crusader from his Dec. 17 win in the Maryland Juvenile Championship at Laurel Park.

Dutrow Horse DQ'd From Stakes Win

A horse trained by Rick Dutrow Jr. has been disqualified from a stakes victory at Laurel Park because he was administrated Salix within two hours of the race, a violation of Maryland racing rules.

Laurel to Increase Purses, Sets Stakes Slate

Laurel Park will soon raise purses roughly 10% across the board to a figure that will top the 2011 daily averages at two nearby racetrack casinos with which it competes for horses.

Owner and War Hero Thomas Kennedy Dead at 86

Thomas Kennedy, a World War II hero and long-time Thoroughbred owner in the Mid-Atlantic region, died at his home in Mt. Washington, Md., Jan. 6. He was 86.

Special Eclipse Award Goes to Rapid Redux

Robert Cole Jr.'s Rapid Redux, winner of 19 consecutive Thoroughbred races in 2011, will be honored with the Special Eclipse Award during ceremonies Jan. 16.

Northview Schedules Open Houses for January

Northview Stallion Station near Chesapeake City, Md., will hold open houses Jan. 14 and 21, 2012. The farm's stallions will be available for inspection from 2-4 p.m. (EST) each day.

MD Groups Commit to Discuss Long-Term Plan

Maryland racing industry officials already have scheduled their first meeting to devise a long-term strategy for live racing in the state beyond 2012.

Russell and Kobiskie Capture Year-End Titles

Sheldon Russell and Dane Kobiskie wrapped up year-end titles in the jockey and trainer divisions, respectively at the major Maryland tracks after the Dec. 17 final card of the season at Laurel Park.

Logo Unveiled for 2012 Preakness Stakes

The logo for the 2012 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) was released by the Maryland Jockey Club Dec. 14. The second leg of the Triple Crown is scheduled for May 19 at Pimlico Race Course.

Mid-Atlantic Regional: Northview Times Two

The stallion operation has faced plenty of adversity, but with its original facility and a new post in the growth state of Pennsylvania, Northview now boasts the deepest stallion roster in the Midlantic region.

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Laurel Cancels Turf Racing for Rest of 2011

Laurel Park officials decided Nov. 29 not to use the turf course for the remainder of the year. Heavy rains in the Baltimore-Washington D.C. region forced races off the grass four times last week.

No Dates in Maryland, But Talks Continue

Maryland racing interests still hope to avoid repeating a situation a year ago that left Laurel Park without 2011 racing dates just a week before the meet was scheduled to begin.

BC Winner Shared Account Retired

Shared Account, winner of last year's Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT) and seventh in this year's running in what proved to be her final start, has been retired from racing.

Pino Now 13th on All-Time Jockey Win List

Jockey Mario Pino moved ahead of Hall of Famer Eddie Delahoussaye for 13th on the all-time win list when he guided 13-1 shot Torcello to victory in the second race at Laurel Park in Maryland Nov. 17.

F-T Midlantic Winter Mixed Sale Has 395 Lots

Fasig-Tipton has cataloged 395 lots for its Midlantic winter mixed sale. The number is up 13.2% from last year's total of 349.

Pino Ties Delahoussaye on All-Time Win List

Jockey Mario Pino tied for 13th on the all-time win list with Hall of Famer Eddie Delahoussaye with a victory in the eighth race at Laurel Park Nov. 10.

Laurel Dash Will Suffice for Ben's Cat

King Leatherbury's Ben's Cat, who could have been entered in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IIT) via payment of a $100,000 supplemental fee, is the even-money morning-line favorite in the $75,000 Laurel Dash Oct. 29.

'Redux' in Bid to Tie Consecutive Win Record

Robert Cole Jr.'s Rapid Redux will attempt to tie the North American record for consecutive victories when he faces four other horses in a starter allowance test at Laurel Park Oct. 27.

State Hopes to Resolve Maryland Dates Fight

The administration of Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley is again trying to resolve a racing dates dispute one horsemen's representative said could "potentially get very ugly."

No Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint for Ben's Cat

King Leatherbury's Ben's Cat will take a pass on the Nov. 5 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IT) and instead run in the Oct. 29 Laurel Turf Dash at Laurel Park.

Unbridled Energy to Pin Oak Lane in PA

Grade II winner Unbridled Energy will stand in 2012 at Dr. William Solomon's Pin Oak Lane Farm near New Freedom, Pa.

Friesan Fire to Merryland in Maryland

Friesan Fire, winner of the 2009 Louisiana Derby (gr. II) and the favorite in that year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), has been retired from racing and will stand at Merryland in Maryland.

Northview Keeps Not For Love at $20,000

Not For Love, who stands at Northview Stallion Station near Chesapeake City, Md., and ranks atop the 2011 Maryland leading sires' list, will stand for the same $20,000 fee in 2012 that he stood for this year.

Racing Dates Major Issue Again in Maryland

The Maryland Jockey Club has told state regulators its financial situation will keep it from offering a full 146-day live racing schedule in 2012.

Retired Jockey Larry Saumell Dies

Larry Saumell, a retired jockey who later served as a regional manager for the Jockeys' Guild and then as a jockey's agent, died in his sleep Monday, Oct. 17.

Laurel Park Celebrates Centennial

The 82nd running of the Selima Stakes for 2-year old fillies at Laurel Park Oct. 15 was the feature attraction as the track celebrated its centennial.

Pimentel Rides Five Winners at Laurel Park

Julian Pimentel swept the first three races Oct. 11 at Laurel Park in Maryland on his way to riding a career best five winners on a single card.

PNGI Makes Pitch for Gaming at Rosecroft

Penn National Gaming Inc. is making its case for gaming at Rosecroft Raceway, the Maryland harness track it purchased earlier this year and will reopen for live racing Oct. 21.

F-T Midlantic Sale Posts Big Gains

Following the generally positive trends in the yearling market this year, the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Eastern fall sale ended with increases of 15.7% in average price and 72.9% in median price from a year ago.

Average, Median Up as Midlantic Sale Opens

The Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Eastern fall yearling sale opened with a 100% increase in its median price from a year ago and a 20.2% upswing in its average price. A Hard Spun colt topped the session, bringing $200,000 Oct. 4.

Maryland Simulcast Dispute to Arbitration

Noting his disappointment that representatives from the Standardbred and Thoroughbred industries have failed to resolve a simulcasting stalemate, Maryland labor secretary Alexander M. Sanchez has directed them to arbitration.

F-T Eastern Fall Sale: Poised for an Upswing?

Many 2011 yearling sales have shown improvement in their performances from a year ago and Fasig-Tipton officials are hoping the Midlantic Eastern fall auction also will experience an upswing.

Stronach Group in Maryland Casino Venture

The Stronach Group, which owns Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course in Maryland, is part of a group that has filed an application to construct a video lottery terminal casino in downtown Baltimore.

Laurel Park Fall Meet Begins Friday

Live racing returns to Laurel Park on Friday, Sept. 9, for the fall meeting with a nine-race card.

F-T Midlantic Fall Sale Has 535 Yearlings

Fasig-Tipton has cataloged 535 yearlings for its Midlantic Eastern fall yearling sale. The number is down 17.1% from last year's total of 635.

McEntee to Northview Stallion Station

Carl McEntee is named director of bloodstock services for Northview Stallion Station in Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Live Racing Returns to Maryland at Timonium

Live racing returns to Maryland after a three-month break when the Maryland State Fair at Timonium meet kicks off Aug. 26 for a seven-day meet just north of Baltimore.

Rosecroft Raceway Back in Business Under PNGI

Rosecroft Raceway, a Maryland harness track that has been closed for live racing since 2008, is expected to reopen for simulcasting Aug. 25 under ownership of a Penn National Gaming Inc. subsidiary.

Efforts Under Way to Revive MATCH Series

Efforts are under way to revive the Mid-Atlantic Championships Series, known as MATCH, perhaps in 2012, the program's founder said.

Scipion Sires First Winner

Graded stakes winner Scipion was represented by his first winner when his daughter Victoria's Comet scored at Delaware Park Aug. 1.

De Francis Dash Back on Laurel Calendar

The Maryland Jockey Club unveiled the 2011 Laurel Park fall stakes schedule July 29 that includes restoration of the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash after a one-year hiatus.

Maryland Horse Industry Grants Available

The Maryland Horse Industry Board will be accepting grant applications for non-profit research, educational, and promotional equine activities, beginning Aug. 1.

PNGI Has Solid Quarter, Likes Its Chances

Penn National Gaming Inc. reported solid numbers for the second quarter of 2011 and said it expects good things from existing and potential properties despite increased competition.

Maryland Stallion Two Punch Euthanized

Prominent Maryland stallion Two Punch was euthanized Saturday, June 25, due to the infirmities of old age at Northview Stallion Station near Chesapeake City, Md.

Colonial Meet to Begin With Large Turf Fields

If entries for the first two programs are any indication, Colonial Downs in Virginia should have a strong meet from a wagering perspective. Entries total 231 horses for the first two days.

Animal Kingdom Gallops Again at Fair Hill

Team Valor International's Animal Kingdom galloped 1 1/2 miles on the dirt at Fair Hill Training Center June 3 in continued preparations for the June 11 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

Pimlico's Wagering Average Plummets 22%

The Maryland Jockey Club concluded its spring meeting at Pimlico Race Course the weekend of May 20-22, posting average wagering figures which were 22% lower than the 2010 spring meet.