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Maryland: Study Needed on Steroids

The Maryland Racing Commission remains committed to regulating anabolic steroids in racehorses, but will delay implementation of a model rule given questions about the rule itself and laboratory testing procedures.

Laurel Park to Adjust Race Schedule

At their monthly meeting Jan. 29, the Maryland Racing Commission accepted the Maryland Jockey Club's proposal to alter the live racing calendar for the final seven weeks of the current Laurel winter meeting.

Bowie Samples Negative for EHV-1

Blood samples on the Bowie-based horse that was sent to isolation by the Maryland Department of Agriculture Jan. 22 were negative for equine herpesvirus (EHV-1).

Signs of EHV-1 in Maryland

Maryland Department of Agriculture officials on Jan. 22 announced that the horses stabled in Barn 7 at the Bowie Training Center must remain there until tests for equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) are completed. A horse stabled there showed symptoms similar to those of EHV-1, which can cause neurological disease.

Cherokee's Boy Sires First Foal

Millionaire Cherokee's Boy first reported foal is a filly born Jan. 10 at Shamrock Farms near Woodbine, Md.

Silmaril Was a Hardy Campaigner

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Most veteran campaigners at the racetrack are geldings. So a mare that proves hardy enough to run in stakes company year after year is something truly special. Such is the case with Silmaril, who retired from racing Jan. 12 after winning the What a Summer Stakes at Laurel Park. The daughter of Diamond was a stakes winner for five consecutive years and retired as Maryland's 17th equine millionaire. Now, her future as a broodmare is wide open.

Garcia, Lake, Win Maryland Titles

Luis Garcia, Scott Lake, and Robert Cole have wrapped up year-end titles at the major Maryland tracks for the calendar year in the jockey, trainer and owner divisions, respectively.

Mid-Atlantic Steroids Ban Official

As expected, states in the Mid-Atlantic region have announced they are working to implement a ban on anabolic steroids in racehorses effective April 1, 2008.

Fasig-Tipton Cancels June Midlantic

Fasig-Tipton has opted not to conduct the 2008 Midlantic June 2-year-olds in training sale citing a lack of a market for a second juvenile sale in the region.

PNGI Won't Purchase Maryland Track

Penn National Gaming Inc. said Nov. 28 it will not purchase Rosecroft Raceway, a Maryland harness track, in light of the fact the facility will not be eligible for slot machines under legislation passed by the Maryland General Assembly.

DeMarco to Leave Position With TRA

Tony J. DeMarco will leave his post as Thoroughbred Racing Associations service bureau director Dec. 14 to take a research position with the Arizona House of Representatives in Phoenix, Ariz., the TRA announced Nov. 26.

Laurel Meet OK'd--Minus Two Stakes

The Maryland Racing Commission has approved the 2008 Laurel Park winter stakes schedule, which was trimmed by two stakes. The 15-week meet will feature 17 stakes worth a combined $1.75 million.

Optimism But Concern in Maryland

Maryland racing interests are optimistic over passage of legislation to authorize a statewide referendum on slot machines in November 2008, but they indicated there remains a need for financial relief before the slots measure even comes up for a vote.

Maryland Voters to Decide on Slots

The Maryland legislature has approved a measure for a November 2008 referendum on slot machines, and also voted for a package that raises taxes in the state by $1.3 billion.

Maryland House OKs Slots Referendum

The Maryland House of Delegates passed a measure Nov. 16 to authorize a November 2008 referendum on slot machines in the state.

Maryland House Wrangling on Slots

The Maryland House of Delegates put off voting on whether the state should have a referendum on slot-machine gambling after a day of changes in the proposal Nov. 15. The issue is on the agenda when the House reconvenes Nov. 16.

Will He Shine Pointed to 'Dash'

Millennium Farms' Will He Shine, a grade II stakes winner by Silver Deputy, will run next in the $300,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (gr. I) Nov. 24 at Laurel Park in Maryland.

Greek Sun Retired to Maryland

Greek Sun, a grade II stakes-winning son of Danzig, has been retired from racing and will enter stud at Maryland Stallion Station (Donald Litz, president) near Glyndon, Md.

Maryland Senate OKs Slots Vote

A November 2008 referendum on allowing slot machines in the state was approved by the Maryland Senate the evening of Nov. 8.

Maryland Governor Offers Plan for 15,000 Slot Machines

The legislative race for slot machines in Maryland hit fever pitch Nov. 2 with rallies in the state capital.

Maryland Racing Industry Plans Legislative Push for Aid

With a special session of the Maryland legislature fast approaching, the Maryland racing and breeding industry is planning a major push for financial assistance in the form of slot machines.

Request for Laurel Dates Cut Not Unexpected

Maryland Jockey Club officials have applied for a 60-day winter meet--15 fewer days than usual--at Laurel Park beginning Jan. 1, 2008.

Northview Announces '08 Stud Fees

There are but two minor changes to 2008 stud fees for stallions standing at Northview Stallion Station, it was announced Oct. 19. Northview Stallion Station, home eight stallions, is located near Chesapeake City, Md.

Evil Storm, Akronism, Moon Catcher Star on 'Million' Program

Evil Storm, Akronism, and Moon Catcher were among the winners on the Oct. 13 Maryland Million program at Laurel Park.

Steve's Double Takes Perryville

Oxbow Racing's Steve's Double made a double of his own, a two-race winning streak that also brought his first black-type win when he came from off the pace to win the $200,000 Perryville (gr. III) at Keeneland Oct. 13.

Scipion to Stand in Maryland at Murmur Farm

Scipion, a graded stakes-winning son of A.P. Indy, will enter stud at Allen and Audrey Murray's Murmur Farm in Darlington, Md.

Northview Expanding Into Pennsylvania

Northview Stallion Station has purchased a 171-acre farm site in Lancaster County, Pa., to be named Northview PA. Plans call for the farm to be in operation for the 2009 breeding season.

Maryland Million Program Attracts 120 Entrants

The 22nd Maryland Million, set for Oct. 13 at Laurel Park, has attracted 120 entrants for 12 races, including the $300,000 Maryland Million Classic.

Double-Digit Increases on Day Two of Midlantic Sale

Gross and average registered double-digit increases while the median dipped slightly at the close of business on the second session of the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Eastern fall yearling sale Oct. 2 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, Md.

Maria's Mon Colt Tops Opener of Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale

A son of Maria's Mon topped the opening session of the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Eastern fall yearling sale Oct. 1 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, Md.

At Horse Farm, Maryland Governor Floats Slots Plan

If Maryland's Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley gets his way with the notoriously restive Maryland legislature this fall, the state's horseracing fans may at long last find slot machines installed at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course.

MEC Acquires Remainder of Maryland Jockey Club

Magna Entertainment Corp. has exercised its option, pursuant to an agreement with certain companies controlled by Joe De Francis and his sister, Karin De Francis, to acquire the remaining interest in the Maryland Jockey Club, which operates Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course.

Turf Warrior Better Talk Now Back in Action

Better Talk Now, a multiple grade I winner, has recovered from a puncture wound he suffered in July and August and is back in serious training at his Fair Hill, Md., home base, trainer Graham Motion said Sept. 12.

Laurel Readies for Fall Meet After State Fair

Live racing returns to Laurel Park Sept. 5 on the heels of the Maryland State Fair meet, which continues through Sept. 3 at Timonium.

Maryland Lawmakers Float Another Slots Plan

Republican members of the Maryland House of Delegates have proposed a state budget that would limit growth in spending and derive hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue from slot machines to combat a $1.5-billion shortfall. There were no details on how the horse industry would benefit.

Laurel Cuts Meet Takeout to 10% Across the Board

In a program billed "Ten Days at 10 Percent -- Racing's Best Bet," pari-mutuel takeout on Maryland's live races will be cut in half during Laurel Park's 10-day summer meet that runs from Aug. 10-23.

Marguerite Finney Dance, Maryland Editor, Dead

Marguerite Finney Dance, former senior editor of The Maryland Horse and its sister publication, Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred, died June 24 following a lengthy illness.

Median Sets Record at Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale

The Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale of 2-year-olds in training ended its two-day run Tuesday in Maryland with an auction record median price. But the average price suffered a small setback from 2006, and the gross revenue declined to a greater degree with fewer horses sold.

Chief Seattle Colt Tops Opening Session of Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale

With this year's edition of the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) in the record books, the focus of the Maryland Thoroughbred industry turned to selling horses Monday. A strapping Chief Seattle colt was the standout, bringing $350,000 to top the opening session of the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic preferred sale of 2-year-olds in training at Timonium.

Flashy Bull Outnods Hesanoldsalt in Schaefer

Flashy Bull and heavy favorite Hesanoldsalt staged a furious stretch duel Saturday at Pimlico in the William Donald Schaefer Handicap (gr. III), with Flashy Bull winning the head bob.

More Than Ready Filly Among Fastest Workers for Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale

A More Than Ready filly was among the standouts during the under tack shows for Fasig-Tipton Midlantic preferred sale of 2-year-olds in training in Maryland.

For Pino, It's All About Contentment, Confidence

Mario Pino, long based in Maryland and a regular in other Mid-Atlantic states, has a lot of people rooting for him and his mount, Hard Spun, in Saturday's Preakness Stakes (gr. I) at Pimlico Race Course.

Sunriver Returns to Two Turns in Schaefer

Sunriver will be stretching out from one turn to two when he makes his second start of 2007 in the William Donald Schaefer Handicap (gr. III) at Pimlico on Saturday. The Schaefer will be the last undercard race before the 132nd running of the Preakness Stakes (gr. I).

Pimlico: Friday Afternoon Delights

Three graded stakes for fillies and mares highlight the Preakness eve card at Pimlico Race Course May 18, with the Black-Eyed Susan (gr. II), Allaire DuPont Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. II), and the Adena Stallions Miss Preakness Stakes (gr. III) all set to go postward.

Diabolical Hot Choice in Maryland Sprint Handicap

Diabolical will seek his first graded stakes win when he heads to the post for the Emirates Airlines Maryland Breeders' Cup Sprint Handicap (gr. III) at Pimlico on the Preakness (gr. I) undercard on Saturday. The three-time stakes-winning son of Artax will face seven opponents, including five stakes winners.

Street Sense, Hard Spun Draw Outside Posts

Street Sense and Hard Spun, the one-two finishers in the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands, drew outside post positions for Saturday's Preakness Stakes (gr. I), which attracted a field of nine.

Nafzger Guest on HRTV's 'Across The Board'

Trainer Carl Nafzger will be the featured guest on a special Preakness Stakes edition of HRTV's "Across The Board" show May 17.

Xtra Heat's First Foal Breaks Maiden at Laurel Park

Classic Star Stable's Southwestern Heat, the first foal of champion filly sprinter Xtra Heat, won his first race April 11 in impressive style.

Maryland Lawmakers Hear Testimony on Slots

Maryland lawmakers again addressed the issue of racetrack slot machines in committee March 6, but passage of legislation is hardly assured.

EHV-1 Case Leads to Maryland, Virginia Restrictions; NYRA Imposes Ban

A confirmed case of neurologic equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) at an equine hospital in Leesburg, Va., has resulted in numerous hold orders at farms in Maryland and Virginia as horses released from the hospital after being exposed to the sick horse are tracked back to their home farms.