BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

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.

Fasig-Tipton Adds Sale in New York

Fasig-Tipton has added a sale of mixed stock and horses of racing age in New York to this year's auction calendar. The sale will be held Oct. 9 at the company's facility in Saratoga Springs.

Grade I Winner Frost Giant Sires First Winner

Frost Giant, the 2008 Suburban Handicap (gr. I) winner, sired his first winner when Zekes Surprise won at Belmont Park June 27.

Handicapping Jockeys: Joel Rosario

How will Joel Rosario do in New York?

read blog

Rood & Riddle Vets to Discuss Sale Issues

Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, which is based in Lexington, will conduct an educational forum on veterinary issues in sale yearlings July 18 at Fasig-Tipton's Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

For Regulators, Salix Debate Just Beginning

Regulators around the country are examining the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission's move to phase out race-day furosemide in graded and listed stakes beginning in 2014, but there doesn't appear to be a rush to follow suit.

189 Yearlings Cataloged for Saratoga Sale

Fasig-Tipton has cataloged 189 yearlings for its 92nd Saratoga sale to be held Aug. 6-7 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The 2012 numbers represent an increase of 18% from last year's catalog.

No Surgery on Collarbone for Jockey Velazquez

Velazquez will not require surgery on a broken right collarbone sustained in a June 16 riding accident at Churchill Downs, according to a medical update issued June 21 by the jockey's wife.

Crist to Address HOF Ceremony at Saratoga

Prominent racing journalist Steve Crist will deliver the keynote address at the National Museum of Racing's 2012 Hall of Fame induction Aug. 10, at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

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.

West Coast Rider Rosario to Move to NY

Top West Coast-based rider Joel Rosario will relocate to New York, according to his agent Ronnie Ebanks.

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.

Summer Front Explodes Late, Wins Hill Prince

Waterford Stable's Summer Front found room late and exploded in the final yards to defeat Howe Great in the $150,000 Hill Prince Stakes (gr. IIIT) for 3-year-olds at Belmont Park June 16.

Grade I Winner Giant Ryan Euthanized

Grade I-winning New York champion Giant Ryan, who fractured both left front sesamoids during the June 9 True North Handicap (gr. II), was euthanized at New Bolton Center at the University of Pennsylvania June 14.

NY Lawmakers Oppose Ban on Race-Day Salix

In a development that figures to play out in other racing states, two New York senators said June 12 the anti-bleeding medication furosemide should not be banned on race day.

Belmont Stakes Viewership Up 12% From 2011

Viewership for the June 9 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) on NBC was up 12% from last year and 62% from 2010, according to official data provided by The Nielsen Company June 12.

Phipps to Receive Retirement Foundation Award

Dinny Phipps, chairman of The Jockey Club, will be honored Aug. 5 at the Saratoga Gala of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Phipps will receive the Earle Mack Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Champion Award.

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.

Trinniberg Cuts Back in Woody Stephens Stakes

Shivananda Racing's Trinniberg will cut back to a more favorable distance June 9 in the $400,000 Woody Stephens Stakes (gr. II) for 3-year-olds at Belmont Park, but he could have his hands full.

My Adonis Expected to Enter Belmont Stakes

I'll Have Another will have an additional rival in 144th running of the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 9 in New York as he tries to become the first Triple Crown winner in 34 years.

Unflappable Gutierrez Visits Big Apple

Taking in the Manhattan skyline from atop the Empire State Building, Mario Gutierrez was a long way from his small hometown near Veracruz, Mexico.

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.

Lukas Injured by Horse, Says He's 'Fine'

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who will saddle Optimizer in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), was taken to Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y., June 5 after one of his horses reared up and struck him in the head.

Equine Advocates to Honor Strawbridge

George Strawbridge, Jr., owner of Augustin Stable, will receive the Safe Home Equine Protection Award from Equine Advocates at the organization's 11th Annual Awards Dinner & Charity Auction in New York Aug. 2.

Cuomo: No Exclusive Casino Rights for Tracks

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is making clear that racetrack operators will not get their wish to get exclusive rights for new, Las Vegas-style casinos if New York next year approves a sharp expansion of gambling.

I'll Have Another Visits Belmont Park Paddock

I'll Have Another visited the paddock at Belmont Park the morning of June 3, standing briefly in the saddling enclosure and walking several times around the paddock.

C C's Pal Ekes Out Neck Win in Vagrancy

C C's Pal defeated Nicole H by a neck to win the Vagrancy Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park June 2.

Alpha Will Take Pass on Belmont Stakes

Godolphin Racing's Alpha, who last raced in the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), will not be entered in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said May 31.

Belmont Tickets Available at Ticketmaster.com

In preparation for a large crowd for I'll Have Another's Triple Crown attempt, the New York Racing Association for the first time is making grandstand general admission tickets available through Ticketmaster.

No Pushovers in Strong Metropolitan Handicap

Experience and previous success on the Belmont Park dirt surface could be the deciding factor when a short but strong field gathers for the $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) at one mile May 28.

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.

Trainer Allegedly Has 1,700 Drug Violations

A Standardbred trainer was suspended in New York May 24 for an alleged 1,700 equine medication violations after a joint investigation by New York and New Jersey regulators.

Bustin Stones' First Starter Wins at Belmont

Bustin Stones, an unbeaten grade I winner, got out to a hot start as a sire when his first starter won a maiden special weight race at Belmont Park May 23.

NY Court Hears Dutrow's Appeal of Ban

Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. is urging a New York court to reject his 10-year ban from Thoroughbred racing.

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.

Castellano Will Ride Dullahan in Belmont

Javier Castellano will ride Donegal Racing's Dullahan in the June 9 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

Report: Mark Valeski Unlikely for Belmont

Brereton Jones' homebred Mark Valeski probably won't compete in the June 9 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), trainer Larry Jones told Daily Racing Form May 21.

I'll Have Another 'A Very Happy Horse'

An assistant to trainer Doug O'Neill said Triple Crown contender I'll Have Another was a happy horse the morning of May 21 and could go to the Belmont Park main track later in the week.

Desormeaux Loses Preakness Mount

After being taken off his mounts at Belmont Park May 18 for running afoul of New York's rule on alcohol impairment, Kent Desormeaux also lost his mount in the May 19 Preakness (gr. I), Tiger Walk.

NYRA Getting Pounded by New York Officials

Top state officials continued to pound the New York Racing Association, a day after regulators suggested its exclusive franchise to operate the state's major Thoroughbred tracks could be in jeopardy.

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.

Jockey Club Releases Letter on Salix Use

The Jockey Club May 15 released an eight-page letter it submitted to the New York State Racing and Wagering Board the previous day in regard to use of the race-day medication and furosemide and other related issues.

New York Breeder/Owner Schoenborn Dies

One of the pioneers of the New York breeding program, Gustave C. Schoenborn Sr. died May 11 at his home in Coxsackie, N.Y., following a short illness.

TRF Directors Seek Dismissal of Lawsuit

Directors of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation have filed papers in New York State Supreme Court calling for dismissal of a lawsuit filed by state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman that seeks removal of the TRF board.

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.

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.

New York Attorney General Sues TRF

New York's attorney general is accusing current and former directors of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation of driving the group into financial insolvency and causing harm, and death, of some horses under their care.

NY Inspector General Investigating NYRA

State investigators wasted little time launching a full-scale probe of the New York Racing Association.

New York Taking Public Comments on Salix Use

New York State Racing and Wagering Board chairman John Sabini says it's time for a fresh look at the state's race-day medication policy.