Fritz Widaman, who has headed marketing efforts at the National Thoroughbred Racing Association since 2003, has been named to the newly created position of director of sales and business development for Daily Racing Form.
Yesterday
Zenyatta reclaimed the top spot in the final National Thoroughbred Racing Association poll of 2009.
Monday, November 09, 2009
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association is conducting a free, online handicapping contest in association with the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Nov. 6-7 in which the winner will receive four tickets to the 2010 Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The independent monitor for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance will conduct a "systematic and formal data-gathering phase" in the next few months and release a "detailed, comprehensive report" by the end of the year. Meanwhile, the alliance, which accredits racetracks, is developing standards for wagering security and tote protocol that will be included in the 2010 code.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced that Turfway Park in Florence, Ky., has been fully accredited by the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance following a complete review of all racing operations at the facility. Turfway Park is the 10th racing facility to be so designated by the Alliance.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
A percentage of any purse monies earned by West Point Thoroughbreds' Macho Again in the $750,000 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) Sept. 5 at Saratoga; and Awesome Gem in the $1-million Pacific Classic (gr. I) Sept. 6 at Del Mar will be donated to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
A survey of sports fans and "core" horse racing fans indicates impressions have improved following a rough 2008, but nowhere near enough for industry officials to proclaim a turnaround.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced Aug. 11 that Sept. 5-7 have been designated as national fundraising days for the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance. The Alliance, formed last October with the goal of establishing national uniform standards in the areas of safety and integrity, includes 55 racetracks in North America and every major national horsemen's organization.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Federal legislation that would regulate online poker and games of skill protects pari-mutuel horse racing under the Interstate Horseracing Act and includes various tax breaks sought by the racing industry, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association said Aug. 7.
Friday, August 07, 2009
Monmouth Park in New Jersey is the sixth racetrack to be accredited by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Jockeys at Belmont Park this week began testing padded crops designed to be gentler on horses, according to a press rlease issued by the New York Racing Association July 10. The goal is to fully implement the new equipment by the start of the six-week Saratoga meeting on July 29.
Friday, July 10, 2009
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association's radio advertising campaign won a Gold Lion Award at this week's 56th International Advertising Festival in Cannes, France. The award is one of the highest honors handed out at the radio industry's international awards competition.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced June 2 the establishment of "The Foal Fund" to support the Association's federal lobbying efforts.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Belmont Park, host of the June 6 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), has received full accreditation from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance.
Friday, May 29, 2009
As officials in Maryland work to achieve full accreditation for Pimlico Race Course through the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance, the New York Racing Association is anticipating alliance approval for Belmont Park before the June 6 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
Saturday, May 16, 2009
A bill that would end a ban on wagering online in the United States was introduced May 6 by Democratic Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Delaware Park and Pimlico Race Course are the latest racetracks to undergo the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Allliance accreditation process.
Monday, April 27, 2009
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance April 23 announced that longtime NTRA Advantage partner and official supplier Hallway Feeds has donated 6,000 pounds of feed to aid the 170 horses suffering from malnourishment at Center Brook Farm near Climax, N.Y.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance announced April 21 that Pfizer Animal Health has pledged to donate equine health care supplies to aid the 170 horses suffering from malnourishment at Center Brook Farm in Climax, N.Y.
Monday, April 20, 2009
At a press conference April 17 at Keeneland, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced that the Lexington racetrack has been fully accredited by the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance following a complete review of all racing operations at the facility. Keeneland is the second track to be so designated by the Alliance. Churchill Downs was accredited last week.
Friday, April 17, 2009
A Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory designed to enhance surface safety for horses and riders is being launched with the financial support of a broad industry coalition, it was announced April 17 by the laboratory's coordinators Dr. Mick Peterson and Dr. Wayne McIlwraith.
Friday, April 17, 2009
At a press conference April 9 at Churchill Downs, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced that the Louisville racetrack has been fully accredited by the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance following a comprehensive review of racing operations at the facility.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced April 6 that the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance has received a contribution of $50,000 from Pfizer Animal Health.
Monday, April 06, 2009
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced March 19 that an application for racetrack accreditation by the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance is now available for downloading at www.NTRAalliance.com. A hard copy of the application may also be obtained by writing the NTRA at 2525 Harrodsburg Road, Suite 400, Lexington, KY, 40504.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Delaware Park is the latest racetrack to seek accreditation in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has announced that Hallway Feeds has renewed its sponsorship agreement with the NTRA. Under the terms of the agreement, Hallway Feeds will continue as the Official Feed Supplier to the NTRA through 2011 and will offer the equine industry preferred pricing on its products through the NTRA Advantage program.
Friday, March 06, 2009
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has circulated a list of more than 15 compliance standards that could be finalized in early March and serve as the basis for accreditation in the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
It was announced Feb. 18 that Sherwin-Williams has renewed its sponsorship agreement with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. Under the terms of the agreement, Sherwin-Williams will continue as an official supplier to the NTRA through 2011 and will offer the equine industry savings of up to 40% on its products through the NTRA Advantage program.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association will host a free equine tax forum April 6 in Lexington.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Churchill Downs Inc. has renewed its membership in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association for 2009, an official with the NTRA confirmed Jan. 30.
Friday, January 30, 2009
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced Jan. 26 that Mike Ziegler has been named the executive director of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.
Monday, January 26, 2009
John Conte, 68, of Oceanside, N.Y., won the $500,000 first-place prize and title of Handicapper of the Year in the 10th annual $1 million Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship, which concluded Jan. 24 at Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa in Las Vegas..
Monday, January 26, 2009
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers Association Jan. 15 announced that the veterinary On Call media-assistance program of the American Association of Equine Practitioners has been honored with the 2008 Special Eclipse Award.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers Association announced Jan. 9. that the Hennegan Brothers documentary "The First Saturday in May," which chronicled the stories of six horses and their connections on the journey to the 2006 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), has won the 2008 Media Eclipse Award in the national television feature programming category. The 90-minute program aired on HorseRacing TV Oct. 28, 2008.
Friday, January 09, 2009
TwinSpires.com, the advance deposit wagering service for Churchill Downs Inc. has rescheduled its "Biggest Vegas Qualifier Ever" online handicapping contest for Jan. 3, 2009.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Officials indicated Dec. 11 the push for equine safety and racing industry integrity is serious business, and they called on stakeholders to support the plan.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Churchill Downs Inc. is reviewing its membership in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, racing industry officials said Dec. 9.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association Dec. 5 announced that its subsidiary, NTRA Charities, has disbursed $90,801 in support of one new and two continuing equine medical research projects.
Friday, December 05, 2008
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association and Daily Racing Form announced Dec. 4 that signups for the 2009 NHC Tour are now being accepted at www.ntra.com/nhctour.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Confirmation of a plan allowing the Jockeys' Guild to emerge from bankruptcy was delayed for at least a couple of weeks during a Nov. 17 hearing in a Kentucky federal court, but the judge presiding over the Chapter 11 reorganization said he expects to approve the necessary order when it crosses his desk.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The New York Racing Association announced Oct. 31 that Kimberly Justus has assumed the newly-created post of director of guest services. In her new role, Justus is responsible for all customer service functions at NYRA.
Friday, October 31, 2008
A week after announcing a major safety and integrity initiative for horse racing, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association board of directors said it has launched a national search for an executive director to spearhead the endeavor.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Following the Oct. 15 unveiling of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Safety and Integrity Alliance, four of the organization's principle figures were on hand to further explain their roles and the details of the equine health and safety reform plan, which will be implemented gradually over the next two years.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Handle on races in the United States sharply dropped 9.85% in the third quarter of this year, clearly in keeping with a trend that began in early 2008.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association will unveil its Safety and Integrity Initiative Oct. 15 and fully expects broad industry cooperation given progress made thus far, officials said Oct. 1.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Blogging and other Web-related topics were given some of the highest priority during the Sept. 22 sessions of the well-attended National Thoroughbred Racing Association Marketing Summit at Las Vegas' Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, in conjunction with the New York Racing Association, announced that the Sept. 27 Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) at Belmont Park will be televised live on ESPNEWS.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
An 11-member advisory panel has been named by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association to help formulate grass roots lobbying and assist the NTRA's Horseplayers' Coalition address issues that affect players at the federal level.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
After a three-year hiatus, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Marketing Summit was brought to the forefront of a growing list of necessary steps toward creating a better industry. The three day conference, held Sept. 21-23 at the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa in Las Vegas, covered a variety of topics, from reaching new generations of fans, to discussing updates on several NTRA programs and initiatives.
Monday, September 22, 2008
The 2008 Eclipse Awards ceremony will return to South Florida Jan. 26, 2009, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced Sept. 19.
Friday, September 19, 2008
