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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.

Poll: 56% of New Yorkers OK With Casinos

The push and pull by advocates and detractors has yet to begin, but more than half of New Yorkers believe the state should permit full-fledged casinos beyond Indian-owned gambling facilities, a new poll has found.

Havre de Grace in First Breeze Since Woodward

In her first workout since defeating males in the Woodward Stakes (gr. I), Havre de Grace breezed five furlongs in 1:01 4/5 at Delaware Park Sept. 19.

Trappe Shot Works Toward Vosburgh

Trappe Shot continued preparations for the Oct. 1 Vosburgh Invitational (gr. I) with a breeze Sept. 17, working in company with stablemate Rattlesnake Bridge. The tandem was clocked in :49.90 for the four-furlong distance.

Tis of Thee First Winner by Patriot Act

Stakes winner Patriot Act was represented by his first winner when his daughter Tis of Thee took command in the final furlong to win a maiden special weight race at Suffolk Downs Sept. 14.

New York Legislation Calls for Salix Ban

A New York lawmaker said Sept. 13 he will introduce legislation banning use of "performance-enhancing drugs" such as the anti-bleeding medication furosemide, or Salix.

Naughty New Yorker to Ascot in Canada

Naughty New Yorker, a New York-bred Horse of the Year and champion older male, will enter stud at Chris Blake's Ascot Stud near Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada.

NY Champ Banrock Retired

Nyala Farm's Banrock, voted New York-bred champion turf male and older male in 2009, will be retired from racing,

Tribes, racetracks square off in New York

Native American tribes, racetracks square off in New York over competing plans to expand casino gambling.

NY Tracks to Offer Casino Expansion Plan

Racetracks across New York Sept. 7 will unveil a plan to amend the state constitution to permit them to offer a complete array of casino gambling as part of a proposal they say will raise revenue for the state and industry.

Quick Juvenile Colts to Battle in Hopeful

Two-year-old males will be in the spotlight in the Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes (gr. I) Sept. 5 when Saratoga brings the curtain down on its 2011 meet.

Saratoga Re-accredited by Safety Alliance

Saratoga has been re-accredited by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance, officials said Sept. 2.

NYRA Speaks Out on Projected Spa Projects

Residents of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., get chance to speak out on 21 proposed capital improvements projects for Saratoga Race Course.

NYRA Announces Improvements for Saratoga

The New York Racing Association announced a menu of 21 potential capital improvement projects for Saratoga designed to secure the historic nature of the race track while enhancing the facilities and overall fan experience.

Wild Desert Sires First Winner

Wild Desert, winner of the 2005 Queen's Plate Stakes, sired his first winner when his 2-year-old son Chief Wild Eagle won at Delaware Park Aug. 31.

Report: Desormeaux Arrested at Saratoga

Jockey Kent Desormeaux was arrested at Saratoga the evening of Aug. 31 after he attempted to strike a security guard with his car, police said.

Six Pack Back for Rescheduled Personal Ensign

The $300,000 Personal Ensign Invitational Stakes (gr. I), scheduled for Aug. 28 but postponed when Saratoga canceled racing because of Hurricane Irene, will have the same field when it's run Sept. 3.

Saratoga's Meet Handle Remains Strong

NYRA announces figures for Saratoga meeting are still strong despite the cancellation of racing Aug. 28 due to Hurricane Irene. On-track handle up 4.3%; attendance down marginally.

Friend Or Foe Sidelined for 60 Days

Chester and Mary Broman's Friend Or Foe, winner of last year's Empire Classic and the June 5 Easy Goer Stakes, both at Belmont Park, will likely will get some preventative time off due to a slight ankle issue.

Stay Thirsty, Uncle Mo OK; Coil 'Discouraged'

Todd Pletcher said Stay Thirsty and Uncle Mo were doing fine the day after their strong runs in the Travers Stakes and King's Bishop Stakes, respectively, but that Ballerina winner Hilda's Passion sustained a minor injury.

Travers Day Numbers Down Slightly From 2010

Attendance and pari-mutuel handle were off slightly for the Aug. 27 Travers Stakes (gr. I) program at Saratoga as Hurricane Irene made its way up the East Coast.

Saratoga Cancels Racing for Aug. 28

The New York Racing Association said there will be no live racing at Saratoga Sunday, Aug. 28 because of the oncoming Hurricane Irene.

Ruling Could Affect Drug-Testing Regulations

A recent New York Supreme Court ruling invalidating that state's out-of-competition equine drug-testing could have implications in other jurisdictions and the Thoroughbred racing industry.

After 28 Days, Saratoga Numbers Still Solid

Ontrack business at the current Saratoga meet after 28 days continues to run ahead of comparable figures for 2010, the New York Racing Association reported Aug. 22 as the fifth week of the meet ended.

3,000th Win For New York Trainer Englehart

Trainer Chris Englehart earned his 3,000th career win when Twinkle In His Eye scored a one length victory in the Aug. 19 fifth race at Finger Lakes Casino and Racetrack.

Pletcher: Uncle Mo, Stay Thirsty on Target

Repole Stable's Uncle Mo and Stay Thirsty worked well at Saratoga the morning of Aug. 21 and remain on target for their respective starts in the Foxwoods King's Bishop Stakes and Travers Stakes (both gr. I) Aug. 27.

Velazquez Enjoys 4-Win Afternoon at Saratoga

Jockey John Velazquez rolled through the first four races on the Aug. 19 card at Saratoga Race Course, racking up a quartet of wins in a stellar afternoon at the upstate New York track.

NY Judge Rejects Certain Drug-Testing Rules

An acting New York State Supreme Court judge has ruled the New York Racing and Wagering Board regulations on out-of-competition testing "require nullification in their entirety."

NYRA, Breeders' Cup Working Toward 2013 Deal

The New York Racing Association, which was unhappy Breeders' Cup chose Santa Anita Park over Belmont Park to host the 2012 World Championships, already is in discussions with the organization to be the 2013 host site.

N.Y. Stallion Stonesider Gets First Winner

Stonesider, who stands at Highcliff Farm near Delanson, N.Y., was represented by his first winner as a stallion when Goodtime Boy captured the seventh race at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 17.

Millionaire Naughty New Yorker Retired

Naughty New Yorker, a 9-year-old stakes-winning son of Quiet American -- Naughty Natisha, by Known Fact has been retired from racing, trainer Pat Kelly said Aug. 17 at Saratoga.

What New York Says About the Yearling Market

Sheikh Mohammed's wealth and the anticipation of VLT-fueled purses are powerful market forces, but what will happen at other yearling sales that don't benefit from those two boosts?

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Union Rags Romps in Sloppy Saratoga Special

Javier Castellano described Union Rags as "unbelievable" following the Three Chimneys Saratoga Special Stakes (gr. II) Aug. 15 in upstate New York.

Saratoga Sale Memories: Most Are Good

Memories of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale are pleasant ones for many people. Read what buyers and consignors had to say.

McPeek to Stable Year-Round in New York

Trainer Kenny McPeek, whose horses traditionally race on the Kentucky and Florida circuits with a summer base in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., will maintain a full-time barn at Belmont Park starting this fall.

N.Y. Preferred Yearling Sale Posts Big Gains

The surging Fasig-Tipton New York-bred preferred yearling sale ended its two-night run in upstate New York Aug. 14 with impressive results as shoppers dreamed of a lucrative future with their purchases.

'Medication-Free' Horse Racing Called Goal

The Jockey Club has reiterated its calls for a phased-in ban on the anti-bleeding medication Salix but made clear Aug. 14 it wants "medication-free" horse racing.

Jockey Club to Lead Racing's Plan for Growth

The Jockey Club Aug. 14 announced a nine-step plan for the betterment of horse racing and breeding and expects to spend millions of dollars over the next five years to implement it.

F-T New York-Bred Sale Enjoys Strong Opening

The Fasig-Tipton New York-bred preferred yearling sale enjoyed some big upswings in its key business figures on its opening night, Aug. 13, in upstate New York.

Change Looms for New York-Bred Program

With expectations that funding for the New York-bred program will increase about 100% by 2014, officials hope to strike a balance with plans to expand its offerings and rewards for owners and breeders.

Back to Work for Mucho Macho Man

Mucho Macho Man, third-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), breezed three furlongs over Saratoga's Oklahoma training track in :35.35 the morning of Aug. 12.

Spendthrift Tries NY Stud Market With Dublin

B. Wayne Hughes' Kentucky-based Spendthrift Farm is making its first foray into the New York stallion marketplace. In 2012, it will stand grade I winner Dublin at Keane Stud near Amenia.

F-T New York-Bred Sale Could Be Strong

Fasig-Tipton officials are optimistic about the prospects for the company's New York-bred preferred yearling auction, which is scheduled for Aug. 13 and 14 in upstate New York.

Jockey Napravnik on Sword Dancer Telecast

Jockey Rosie Napravnik will join the VERSUS network broadcasting crew for the Saturday, Aug. 13, telecast of the $500,000 Sword Dancer Invitational (gr. IT) at Saratoga.

Old Friends to Expand in New York

The Thoroughbred retirement outfit intends to purchase the 265-acre former Sez Who Thoroughbred Farm near Stillwater, N.Y., south of Saratoga Springs. Sackatoga Stable also announced a new funding program for Old Friends.

Saratoga Sale Finishes With Upswings

A Bernardini colt brings $1.2 million as the select yearling auction's average rises 15.9% and the median grows 4.2%.

Gibson Introduces NY Internet Wagering Bill

New York Congressman Chris Gibson announced Aug. 9 he has introduced legislation, H.R. 2702, the Wire Clarification Act of 2011, to ensure internet wagering on Thoroughbred horse racing remains legal.