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OTTB Spotlight: Xantra

Shannon Hahn of Double L Equine Rescue and Sanctuary tells the story of Xatra, aka "Officer Isaac." From needing the law to becoming the law, Xantra overcame injuries due to neglect and now serves as a New York police horse.

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Ostrager Again Elected President of NYTB

Barry Ostrager, principal owner of Questroyal Stud, has been re-elected president of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, whose board of directors met Jan. 19.

First Reported Foal for Munnings

Multiple graded stakes winner Munnings was represented by his first reported foal when a colt produced from Heaven's Grace (by Untuttable) was foaled at Anstu Farm in Millbrook, N.Y.

Push for Expanded Gambling Intensifies in NY

Legislation is popping up in New York to permit additional casinos across the state, with other versions of bills placing the expanded gambling offerings at existing racetrack casinos.

Cuomo: Create N.Y. State Gaming Commission

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to eliminate the state's chief racing industry regulatory body and merge it with an agency that now runs the state's lottery and racetrack VLT programs.

Cuomo Defends Convention Center Plan

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo defended his plan to have a private company construct the world's largest convention center next to Aqueduct in the face of a new public poll in which most New Yorkers oppose the idea.

Woodward is NYRA's 2011 Race of the Year

Fans have voted the 2011 Woodward Stakes (gr. I), in which Havre de Grace became the second female to win the race in its 58-year history, as the New York Racing Association's Race of the Year.

Still in Pain, Davis Released from Hospital

Jockey Jackie Davis was released from North Shore University Hospital early Jan. 16 after X-rays and scans came back negative following a spill after the conclusion of the ninth race at Aqueduct the previous day.

Aqueduct Casino Breaks $1 Million in Proceeds

In a state unaccustomed to rosy equine industry fiscal numbers, NY officials are going out of their way to hail the breaking of the $1 million mark in proceeds to a Thoroughbred breeding fund from the new casino at Aqueduct.

Tiago Might Miss Breeding Season

Tiago, who stands at Adena Springs Standing at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds near Saratoga Springs, N.Y., might miss the 2012 breeding season.

Delta, New York OTBs Have No Deal on Signal

Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel said Jan. 10 it has been unable to strike a deal with New York offtrack betting corporations for import of its signal.

Dominguez, Studart to Assist MDA Fundraiser

Jockeys Ramon Dominguez and Maylan Studart will be among the Metro New York athletes participating on the Muscular Dystrophy Association's 2012 Muscle Team for the 15th Annual Muscle Team Gala & Benefit Auction.

NY Panel Issues Plan for Retired Racehorses

A New York task force has recommended a percentage of revenue from video lottery terminals and purse accounts go toward retraining and retirement programs for racehorses in the state.

NYRA Lowers Exotics Takeout After Overcharge

The New York Racing Association has lowered the takeout on Trifecta, Superfecta, Grand Slam, Pick 3, Pick 4, and Pick 6 wagers.

Final Phase of Flying Zee Dispersal Set

The third and final phase of the dispersal of horses owned by the late Carl Lizza's Flying Zee Stable will be held Jan. 21, 2012, at Lizza's Highcliff Farm near Delanson, N.Y.

Bank Heist to Stand at Kaz Hill in New York

Bank Heist, a winning half-brother to champion sprinter and two-time Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) winner Midnight Lute, has been retired and will stand the 2012 breeding season at Kaz Hill Farm near Middletown, N.Y.

Top Flight, Withers Return to Aqueduct Meet

NYRA released the stakes schedule for Aqueduct 2012 winter/spring meet, with the $1 million Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial (gr. I) April 7 the centerpiece.

NY Officials Seek to Expand Casino Gaming

New York state officials have agreed to seek approval of a constitutional amendment to permit expansion of Las Vegas-style casino gambling on non-Indian lands.

Judge Rejects Suffolk OTB Bankruptcy Petition

A big New York state off-track betting corporation did not have the legal authority to seek Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection earlier this year, a federal bankruptcy judge has ruled.

Denali Stud and Edition Farm Form Alliance

Craig Bandoroff's Denali Stud in Kentucky and Vivien Malloy's Edition Farm in New York have formed a strategic alliance, it was announced Nov. 30.

Dutrow Granted Stay of New York Suspension

A New York judge has granted trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. a stay of his 10-year suspension levied by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board.

Hit It Rich Bags First Stakes in Long Island

Stuart Janney III's homebred Hit It Rich shadowed front-running Unbridled Essence for more than a mile, then took over in the lane and pulled away to win the $150,000 Long Island Handicap (gr. IIIT) on the turf Nov. 12.

More Than Ready's Fee Increases to $60,000

More Than Ready, sire of Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IIT) winner Regally Ready, will stand in 2012 for $60,000, up from $40,000 in 2010.

NY Racetrack Casinos Preparing for Changes

Racetrack casino operators in New York are lobbying hard to protect their interests in anticipation of a potential gambling expansion and tighter licensing procedures in 2012

Freud, Noonmark to Sequel Stallions in NY

Becky Thomas and Dennis Narlinger have reopened Sequel Stallions New York near Hudson, N.Y., and will stand Freud and Noonmark at the nursery.

Make Reservations to Tomorrow Bloodstock

Make Reservations, a 4-year-old son of Tapit, will enter stud in 2012 at Tomorrow Bloodstock near Thompson Ridge, N.Y.

Belmont Park Cancels Live Racing for Oct. 30

The final day of the Belmont Park fall meet has been lost in the aftermath of a winter-like storm that hit the Northeast Oct. 29.

After Long Wait, Aqueduct Opens VLT Casino

Just one day shy of the 10th anniversary on which former New York Gov. George Pataki signed a law approving racetrack casinos, Aqueduct's new VLT facility will open the afternoon of Oct. 28.

Jackson Bend Works Quick Half in Saratoga

Robert LaPenta and Fred Brei's Jackson Bend continued his preparations for the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) with another quick work on the Saratoga training track Oct. 27.

Giant Ryan Continues to Prep for Sprint

Giant Ryan, who is riding a six-race win streak heading into the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I), breezed a half-mile in :48 3/5 at Churchill Downs early Oct. 26.

Drosselmeyer to Stand in NY in 2012

Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Drosselmeyer will retire to stud after making a final start in the Nov. 5 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.

Maybry's Boy to Highcliff in New York

Graded stakes winner Maybry's Boy has been relocated to stand in 2012 at Highcliff Farm in New York.

NY Breeders' Awards to Jump Sharply in 2012

Just days before the opening of the Resorts World Casino at Aqueduct, the New York Breeding and Development Fund announced a sharp increase in breeders' awards for 2012.

Grade I Winner Purge to the Philippines

Purge, a New York grade I winner, has been sold to stand in the Philippines at Manny Santos' Jade Bros. Farm.

Churchill Downs Retains New York Lobbyist

At a time when out-of-state ADW operators are facing mounting criticism from some lawmakers and OTB operators in New York, Churchill Downs Inc. has turned to an influential Albany lobbying firm to represent its interests.

Dutrow Granted 30-Day Stay of New York Action

A day before trainer Rick Dutrow was scheduled to relinquish his license to train horses for at least the next 10 years in New York, a state judge put a temporary hold on the punishment handed down last week.

Stacelita Works Four Furlongs at Belmont

Working in company with Desert Sage, Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT) contender Stacelita breezed four furlongs in 48.55 seconds.

Castro in Stable Condition After Spill

Jockey Eddie Castro was conscious, in stable condition, and able to move his extremities following a spill in the fourth race at Belmont Park Oct. 15.

Finger Lakes Jockey Osorio Dies

Finger Lakes jockey Jose David Osorio died at his residence Oct. 4.

Cohen Rides 1,000th Career Winner

David Cohen reached a personal milestone Oct. 13 at Belmont Park when he won the ninth race aboard Bobs Pinup Girl ($18.80) in a photo finish for his 1,000th career victory.

Dutrow's License Revoked for 10 Years

New York regulators revoked Rick Dutrow's license for at least 10 years and fined him $50,000 for what they said has been a pattern of rules violations by the controversial trainer.

NYRA Chief Blasts Attempts to Curb ADWs

Charlie Hayward said putting limits on out-of-state ADWs will hurt New York racing.

Winter Memories, Bold Hawk Work at Belmont

Winter Memories and Bold Hawk are Keeneland-bound after turning in separate breezes on turf at Belmont Park Oct. 9. Winter Memories and Bold Hawk worked five furlongs in 1:01.50 and 1:02.70, respectively.

Flying Zee Stable to Disperse at Fasig-Tipton

Fasig-Tipton Company has announced that the Estate of Carl Lizza Jr.'s Flying Zee Stable, with Hidden Brook Farm as agent, will disperse the vast majority of its Thoroughbreds at auctions this fall and winter.

Awesome Feather Wins Comeback at Belmont

Stronach Stables' Awesome Feather, winner of the 2010 Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I), returned to the races with a victory in the $60,000 Le Slew Stakes Oct. 5 at Belmont Park.

McClain Promoted to NYRA Executive VP and COO

The New York Racing Association announced Oct. 5 that Ellen McClain has been promoted to the position of executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Vinery New York Stallions to Sugar Maple

Vinery Ltd. announced Oct. 4 that its New York stallion operation will be based at Sugar Maple Farm near Poughquag, N.Y., for the 2012 breeding season.

Belmont Turf Stakes Produce BC Hopefuls

Shkspeare Shaliyah and Pure Gossip turned in strong rallies to win two grade III turf stakes at Belmont Park Oct. 2 and appear headed to the Breeders' Cup World Championships.

Bluegrass Cat to New York for 2012

Top second-crop sire Bluegrass Cat will stand in New York in 2012.

Tizway Gets Back to Work

Leading handicap horse Tizway was back on the work tab Sept. 27 at Saratoga after missing last week's scheduled training due to a fever.