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Given Breakdowns, MD Changes Claiming Rules

Seeking to address a rash of fatal breakdowns during the Laurel Park winter meet, the Maryland Racing Commission March 20 revised new claiming rules passed in February.

Carulli Retiring as Maryland Handicapper

Frank Carulli, the Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park handicapper and racing analyst since January 2002, will be leaving the company at the conclusion of the Pimlico spring meet.

MD Leading Mid-Atlantic Uniform Drug Reform

The Maryland Racing Commission voted Feb. 19 to adopt a uniform equine medication, penalty, and testing program proposed for Thoroughbred and Standardbred racetracks throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

Pimlico Stakes Schedule Worth $4 Million

The Maryland Jockey Club has upped the purse for this year's Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II) at Pimlico Race Course to $500,000 from $300,000.

Funnys Approval Has Last Laugh in Fritchie

Bobby Rankin's Funnys Approval proved she's no laughing matter on off tracks with a solid front-running upset in the $250,000 Barbara Fritchie Handicap (gr. II) at Laurel Park Feb. 16.

MJC Plans Major Redevelopment at Laurel Park

The Maryland Jockey Club plans to build a new clubhouse and grandstand at Laurel Park on the opposite side of the existing structures at the track, as well as knock down all existing barns and relocate new ones.

Champion Orientate Relocated to Northview

Champion Orientate, who has sired 35 stakes winners from seven crops, has been relocated to Northview Stallion Station in Chesapeake City, Md., for the 2013 breeding season.

MJC Tracking Horsemen's Out-of-Town Starts

The Maryland Jockey Club has put horsemen on notice regarding the shipping of horses to race at other tracks in the region.

Sagamore to Sponsor Native Dancer Stakes

Kevin Plank's Sagamore Racing announced it will sponsor the $125,000 Native Dancer Stakes Jan. 21 at Laurel Park.

Maryland Task Force Faces Uphill Climb

A task force recently formed to address the struggling Maryland Thoroughbred breeding industry suggested several measures Tuesday to reverse steep declines.

Loose Horse Takes Jaunt Down U.S. Route 1

Commuters traveling on U.S. Route 1 in North Laurel, Md. around 9 a.m. Jan. 11 saw something they'll never forget--a loose Thoroughbred heading south without its rider.

Maryland Racing Posts Gains for 2012

Wagering in Maryland was up 7.5 percent in 2012, the Maryland Jockey Club reported Jan. 5, as field size also grew and a record Preakness crowd came to watch I'll Have Another run.

Castellano and Ness Capture Year-End Titles

Jockey Abel Castellano and trainer Jamie Ness wrapped up year-end titles for the calendar year in the jockey and trainer divisions respectively at the major Maryland tracks after the Dec. 31 card at Laurel Park.

Laurel, Turfway, Penn National Cancel Races

Inclement weather has forced the cancellation of live racing Dec. 26 at Laurel Park, Turfway Park, and Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.

More Funds Available for Maryland-Breds

The Maryland Horse Breeders Association Dec. 20 noted increased financial opportunities for state-bred winners because of a new racing agreement and projected increases in revenue from video lottery terminals.

MD Parties Strike Simulcast Deal; Dates OK'd

On the day the recently forged 10-year agreement between stakeholders in the Maryland racing industry received a formal presentation before the Maryland Racing Commission, a little Christmas bonus was included.

Maryland Groups Have 10-Year Deal for Racing

The key organizations in Maryland Thoroughbred racing announced Dec. 14 they have struck a 10-year-agreement for racing at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course.

Nicanor, Barbaro's Full Brother, to Shamrock

Nicanor, a stakes-placed full brother to Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Barbaro, will enter stud at Shamrock Farm near Woodbine, Md.

Harlan's Holiday Filly Added to FT Sale

La La's Cookin, a 2-year-old daughter of Harlan's Holiday, has been added as a supplemental entry to the Dec. 3 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic December Mixed Sale.

Award-Winning Turf Writer Kelly Dies at 94

The Maryland racing community lost one of its most prominent members when award-winning journalist and racing historian Joseph B. Kelly passed away Nov. 26 after a short battle with cancer. He was 94.

Maryland Tracks, Horsemen Given Deadline

Stalled on the cusp of a 10-year deal that could be the foundation for revitalizing the Maryland racing program, the state racing commission has issued a Nov. 30 deadline for the tracks and horsemen to reach a consensus.

F-T Midlantic Mixed Sale Has 242 Lots

Fasig-Tipton has cataloged 242 lots for its Midlantic mixed sale. The auction is scheduled for Dec. 3 in Timonium, Md., and will start at 11 a.m. EST.

Redeemed to Stand at Northview

Redeemed, a consistent son of grade I winner Include, will enter stud at Northview Stallion Station near Chesapeake City, Md., in 2013.

Maryland Voters OK Gambling Expansion

Gambling in Maryland will soon include table games such as blackjack and a casino near Washington, D.C., after voters Nov. 6 approved an expansion measure that generated an expensive political advertising campaign.

Laurel Race Finishes With Two Dead Heats

Race seven at Laurel Park in Maryland literally went down to the wire Oct. 8 as four horses arrived at the finish line together, resulting in a rather unique climax, a dead heat for first and a dead heat for third.

Not Abroad, Ben's Cat Notch Md. Million Wins

Not Abroad and his jockey, Nick Petro, took advantage of an opening along the rail and won the $142,500 Maryland Million Classic Stakes Oct. 6 at Laurel Park.

Cal Nation to Stand at Merryland Farm

Kentucky's WinStar Farm and Maryland's Country Life Farm (owned by Josh and Mike Pons) have reached a co-ownership agreement to stand WinStar's homebred colt Cal Nation at the Pons' Merryland Farm near Hydes, Md., in 2013.

F-T Midlantic Sale's Median Equals Record

The market was robust at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Eastern fall yearling sale Oct. 1 in Timonium, Md. The median price increased 29.7% from a year ago to equal the auction's record of $12,000.

Street Sense Colt Fetches $210,000 at FT Sale

A Street Sense colt brought $210,000 early in the afternoon during the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Eastern fall yearling sale Oct. 1.

Malibu Moon Filly Brings $300,000 at FT Sale

A daughter of Malibu Moon brought $300,000 just after noon at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Eastern fall yearling sale in Timonium, Md. She is the highest-priced horse sold so far during the auction.

Plenty of Pre-Entries for Maryland Million

Laurel Park received 155 pre-entries, which includes cross-entered horses, for the Oct. 6 Jim McKay Maryland Million program.

F-T Midlantic Sale Has Prime Location

The Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Eastern fall yearling sale, which will be held Oct. 1 in Timonium, Md., is in a prime location, especially this season.

Southern Success to Xanthus in Maryland

Stakes winner Southern Success will stand in 2013 at Barbara Rickline's Xanthus Farm near Gettysburg, Pa.

Pino Passes Fires on All-Time Win List

Jockey Mario Pino moved into sole possession of 10th place on the all-time win list with a victory aboard Incredibly Smart in the second race Sept. 18 at Presque Isle Downs.

1983 Preakness Winner Deputed Testamony Dies

Deputed Testamony, the last Maryland-bred to win the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), died Sept. 18 and was buried at the Boniface family's Bonita Farm in Darlington, Md.

Pino Three Shy of 10th on All-Time Win List

On the eve of his 51st birthday, jockey Mario Pino is just three victories shy of tying Earlie Fires for 10th on the all-time North American win list.

Jazzy Idea Christens Laurel Meet With Record

Owner/trainer Edwin Merryman's Jazzy Idea kicked off the Laurel Park meet in style with a course-record victory in the $100,000 Jameela Stakes at six furlongs on the turf.

Laurel Park Meet Features More Money, Stakes

Laurel Park will begin a 69-day meet Sept. 5 with average daily purses of $240,000 and an expanded stakes schedule.

F-T Eastern Fall Sale Has 375 Yearlings

Fasig-Tipton has cataloged 375 yearlings for its Eastern fall yearling sale. The number is down 29.9% from last year's total of 535.

Maryland Gaming Law Fairly Neutral on Racing

A law expanding casino gambling in Maryland alters some tax and revenue percentages but should keep the horse racing industry whole, according to fiscal projections associated with the measure.

PNGI Extends Live Racing Deal at Rosecroft

Penn National Gaming Inc. said Aug. 7 it will continue to offer live harness racing at Rosecroft Raceway in Maryland for two more years--if another Prince George's County location isn't chosen as the location for a casino.

Laurel to Host 32 Stakes at Fall Meet

Laurel Park's 69-day fall meeting, which begins Wednesday, Sept. 5, and concludes Monday, Dec. 31, includes 32 stakes, five more than a year ago.

Pensioned California Stallion Houston Dies

Houston, a high-priced sale yearling who developed into a multiple graded stakes winner, died April 12 from the infirmities of old age at Ren-Mar Thoroughbreds near Temecula, Calif.

Beyond the Blinkers: Catching a Falling Star

Today, I bring you the story of the up-and-coming off track Thoroughbred-turned show horse Constant Star, as told to me by Kimberly Clark.

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Grade II Winner Millionreasonswhy Dies

Sagamore Racing's Millionreasonswhy died Sunday morning after a training accident at Sagamore Farm near Glyndon, Md.

Animal Kingdom Resumes Training at Fair Hill

Animal Kingdom, winner of last year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), resumed galloping on June 21 at Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland.

Secretariat's Preakness Time Changed

After investigating the timing of 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat's Preakness Stakes, the Maryland Racing Commission voted unanimously to change the official time from 1:54 2/5 to 1:53, a stakes record.

Secretariat's Preakness Time Under Review

The Maryland Racing Commission has agreed to conduct a hearing to consider evidence based upon advances in modern technology regarding the controversy surrounding Secretariat's winning time in the Preakness.

No Re-Vote, But Maryland THA Makes Changes

In the wake of recent conflict over its structure, the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association announced "major leadership changes" after a closed May 23 board of directors meeting held at Laurel Park.

Live and Export Handle Increase at Pimlico

The Maryland Jockey Club concluded its spring meeting at Pimlico, posting average wagering figures which were 9% higher than the 2011 spring meet. The average daily handle went from $4.72 million to $5.17 million.