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Saratoga All-Sources Handle Climbs

With 22 of 40 racing days in the books, all-sources handle on Saratoga races climbs; attendance and field size are fractionally down as wet weather causes 26 races to come off turf.

$1 Million Gold Cup Tops NYRA Fall Schedule

The New York Racing Association, Inc. has released the stakes schedules for the 2012 Belmont Park and Aqueduct Racetrack fall meets that will be highlighted by the $1 million TVG Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Spa Wagering Up 7.6%; Attendance Down 1.9%

While all-sources wagering increased 7.6% during the first three weeks of the annual boutique meet at Saratoga Race Course, the upstate New York track reported attendance had dipped by 1.9% through Aug. 6.

Numbers Remain Strong at Saratoga

After 10 days of racing at the boutique Saratoga Race Course meet, wagering and attendance continue on an up-tick, according to the New York Racing Association.

NY Track Chaplaincy to Honor Anne Campbell

Anne Campbell is being honored by the New York Race Track Chaplaincy for her contributions to living and working on the backstretches of the New York Racing Association tracks.

2012 Travers Celebration Set for Aug. 23

This year's Travers Celebration on Aug. 23 will benefit the Backstretch Employee Service Team, the Times Union Hope Fund, and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

Name of Rachel's Foal to Be Revealed at Spa

Barbara Banke, owner of Stonestreet Farm, will announce the name of 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra's first foal at Saratoga Race Course in New York July 27.

Handle Increases Continue at Belmont Park

On-track handle, total handle, and New York Racing Association Rewards account wagering continued their upward trends at the 2012 Belmont Park spring/summer meet which ran 55 days from April 27 through July 15.

Free Wireless Internet Available at Saratoga

The New York Racing Association will introduce free wireless internet on opening day at Saratoga Race Course July 20.

Report: NYRA Board Intact Through Saratoga

Despite Gov. Andrew Cuomo's stinging criticism of its abilities, the New York Racing Association's board of directors will not be replaced before the start of NYRA's financially crucial Saratoga Racecourse meet.

Report Reveals Details of NYRA's Rough Year

An annual report released by a state government panel overseeing the New York Racing Association's finances reached an obvious conclusion: it's been a rough year for the organization.

NYRA: Eight is Enough

Limiting field size makes races less attractive to bet on.

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Saratoga Purses Up for First Condition Book

Saratoga Race Course has released its first 2012 condition book, and it shows a substantial increase in purses.

NYRA Unveils Marketing Director to Panel

With the state government about to take control of its operations, the New York Racing Association on June 26 unveiled its new marketing director to a state financial control panel.

NY Assembly Approves NYRA Takeover Bill

The New York Assembly June 20 unanimously passed and sent to the Senate legislation that would permit the state to run the New York Racing Association for at least the next three years.

Cuomo, Lawmakers Agree on NYRA Bill

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders have reached an accord on the temporary takeover of the New York Racing Association by the state government.

Ceremony to Honor I'll Have Another Changed

The New York Racing Association announced early June 9 that plans to have now-retired top 3-year-old I'll Have Another lead the post parade for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) were being canceled.

I'll Have Another Goes Out for Early Gallop

A congested detention barn for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) horses led trainer Doug O'Neill to send I'll Have Another out for an early jog and gallop June 8.

TwinSpires.com Rebates New York Wagers

The Churchill Downs-owned ADW issued rebates on New York wagers that were assessed the wrong takeout over 14 months.

Labor Dispute Won't Stop Belmont Stakes

A labor dispute will not prevent the running of the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 9, the New York Daily News reported June 5.

Cuomo Backs Off Aqueduct Casino Project

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is backing off plans to construct a massive casino and convention center with a Malaysian-based gambling conglomerate on the grounds of the Aqueduct Racetrack.

Romans Criticizes Belmont Detention Plan

Trainer Dale Romans criticized the New York State Racing and Wagering Board's decision to establish a detention barn to house Belmont Stakes (gr. I) starters, saying regulators "think we're all crooks."

McNamara, Simmons Win Joe Hirsch Awards

Ed McNamara of Newsday and Todd Simmons of the Staten Island Advance earned top honors in The New York Racing Association's third annual Joe Hirsch Memorial Writing Contest.

I'll Have Another Nearly Hit by Loose Horse

Trainer Doug O'Neill said a loose horse nearly slammed into Triple Crown hopeful I'll Have Another during training May 31 at Belmont Park.

'Stakes' Barn to Be Used for Belmont Horses

The New York State Racing and Wagering Board has issued a set of protocols for horses running in the Belmont Stakes, the most notable one being the use of a stakes barn, to which all Belmont starters must go beginning June 6.

'The Mig' to Tour Belmont Oval With Gutierrez

As jockey Mario Gutierrez prepares for a coveted Triple Crown in the June 9 Belmont Stakes, he will have the advice of retired rider Richard Migliore, who recorded 1,352 wins at Belmont Park during his career.

Wagering, Attendance Up on Met Mile Card

With four graded stakes highlighted by the Metropolitan Mile Handicap (gr. I), Belmont Park posted double digit increases in attendance and all-source handle for the May 28 Memorial Day card.

No Nasal Strip, No Problem, O'Neill Says

I'll Have Another won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness wearing a nasal strip. He'll make his first start in the Belmont without one because NYRA bans nasal strips. The reason for the ban is unclear.

Former NYRA Investigator Says He Was Fired

A former outside counsel for the New York Racing Association claims he was fired in 2011 in the midst of performing two separate "integrity investigations" of the organization.

Cuomo Announces NYRA Board Reorganization

The New York Racing Association board of directors will be dominated by a new panel of members selected by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state legislative leaders under a deal announced May 22.

Regulators Blast NYRA, Question Franchise

New York regulators say NYRA's appointment of a new president was "inappropriate." The state also has taken away daily casino payments from NYRA and put them toward the lottery.

NYRA Names New Executives

The New York Racing Association has named Ellen McClain as its new president and Kenneth V. Handal as acting general counsel and chief ethics and compliance officer.

Governor Cuomo Meets with NYRA Trustees

NYRA is under investigation for illegally maintaining a higher takeout rate on some exotic wagers for 15 months. The governor said his administration is working on a "reform package."

NYRA Has History of Run-Ins With Cuomo Family

The New York Racing Association is under scrutiny by Gov. Andrew Cuomo like it was when his father, Mario Cuomo, was New York governor 20 years ago.

Hayward Responds to Takeout Allegations

Charlie Hayward urged the state to investigate quickly and "get the facts." He said no deliberate action was taken to keep the pari-mutuel takeout at an illegally higher rate on exotics.

NY Lawmaker: Return Betting to City Bars

Using the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) to make his point, New York Assemblyman Micah Kellner, who represents Manhattan, railed on officials for not moving to offer offtrack betting at bars in New York City.

NYRA Under Fire; Two on Leave Without Pay

When it was revealed last year that takeout rates on exotic wagers were not lowered as required by law, executives with the New York Racing Association said they were caught unaware of the problem.

NYRA Reports Handle Gains for Aqueduct Meet

Pari-mutuel handle at this year's 78-day Aqueduct winter/spring meet was up across the board, the New York Racing Association reported April 26.

Will NYRA Casino Revenues Last?

The New York Racing Association took in $22.1 million in gross revenues during the first three months of the year from its new Aqueduct casino. But the question for NYRA is simple: will it last?

NYRA Challenges Methodology on Injury Rates

The New York Racing Association is challenging the methodology used by The New York Times to determine horse injury rates that were the basis for a front page article published March 25.

Dominguez Will Go Slow Upon April 6 Return

Jockey Ramon Dominguez, injured in a spill at Aqueduct Racetrack March 18, will ride only a few horses on Friday and Saturday of each of the next two weeks, he said April 2 after talking with his doctor.

NYRA Complying With Refunds on Overcharges

The New York Racing Association said it is meeting a state request to refund money by March 30 to as many bettors it could identify that were overcharged when NYRA failed to follow a state law to lower its takeout on exotics.

NYRA Unveils 2012 Belmont Stakes Logo

The New York Racing Association has unveiled the logo for the 144th running of the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) which is to take place June 9.

NY Groups Team to Aid Retired Thoroughbreds

Three organizations in New York are teaming up to develop second career opportunities for retired Thoroughbred racehorses by way of a program called TAKE2.

State Wants NYRA to Probe Aqueduct Breakdowns

The administration of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has sent a letter to the New York Racing Association advising it to hire an investigator to analyze 15 fatal breakdowns that have occurred at Aqueduct since Nov. 30.

Belmont Celebration to Benefit Charities

The New York Racing Association and The Jockey Club announced that the June 7 Belmont Stakes Charity Celebration will benefit the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and the Backstretch Employee Service Team.

NYRA Announces Enticing Bonus for 2YOs

NYRA has announced a $100,000 bonus for any 2-year-old who breaks its maiden at the 2012 Belmont Park spring meet and goes on to win a graded stakes at Saratoga, Belmont, or Aqueduct in 2012.

NYRA Proposes More Pari-Mutuel Wagering

The New York Racing Association is proposing a plan to let it operate pari-mutuel wagering in an initial 10 bars and restaurants in New York City.

Jockeys' Guild Seeks Contracts With Tracks

On the heels of signing a contract with Churchill Downs Inc. that ended a protracted stalemate, the Jockeys' Guild is preparing to launch an initiative to get other tracks to enter into agreements with the organization.

Former NYRA Board Member Arraigned in Fraud

Timothy McGinn, former board member and vice chairman of the New York Racing Association, pleaded not guilty Jan. 27 in U.S. District Court to charges that he and his partner bilked investors of at least $8 million.