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AEG Out as Casino Operator at Aqueduct

New York officials have scuttled the deal with Aqueduct Entertainment Group to develop a sprawling casino at Aqueduct racetrack, leaving an uncertain future over when the project will ever take shape.

Paragallo Should Not Feel Burdened

Ernie Paragallo's attorney said his conviction places a 'burden' on owners. Are you kidding me?

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Paragallo Convicted of 33 Misdemeanors

New York owner/breeder Ernie Paragallo was convicted of 33 of 34 misdemeanor animal cruelty counts in a non-jury trial.

NY Stallion Anasheed to Russia

Anasheed, a 10-year-old son of A.P. Indy, has been sold for stallion duty in Russia.

Changes Planned for Hall of Fame Voting

The executive committee of the National Museum of Racing has changed the process of electing members in four of the categories to the museum's Hall of Fame.

Kentucky, New York Looking Into Zayat Loans

Officials with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and New York State Racing and Wagering Board said March 2 they are looking into loans made by Ahmed Zayat to two brothers convicted in connection with illegal bookmaking.

NY Drug-Testing Lab to Move From Cornell

New York lawmakers have given approval to move the state's equine drug-testing laboratory from Cornell University to Morrisville State College. The Senate and Assembly both approved the move March 1.

Is Aqueduct VLT Deal in Jeopardy Again?

In a major sign the Aqueduct video lottery terminal project could be in jeopardy, Gov. David Paterson is no longer counting on the winning bidder to supply the cash-starved state with $300 million by March 31.

Paterson's Racing Board Pick Draws GOP's Ire

A new member of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board has been approved by the state Senate, but not without the usual dose of partisan wrangling at the state Capitol.

Miracle Man Sires First Offspring

The first reported foal by Miracle Man is a filly born Feb. 17.

Documents in Aqueduct VLT Contract Released

Under scrutiny for his decision granting a contract to Aqueduct Entertainment Group to operate video lottery gaming at Aqueduct race track, New York Gov. David Paterson on Feb. 16 released documents related to the contract.

Slew's Colors Return to N.Y. Winner's Circle

Stormy Shay, whose broodmare sire is Seattle Slew, triumphs at Aaqueduct.

Silver Seeks Probe of Aqueduct Casino Deal

Asks New York state inspector general's office to look into the bidding process.

Paterson: VLT Selection Not Subpoena Target

Head of state lottery not certain AEG can meet conditions imposed by New York state.

Tanaka Gets Five-Year Sentence

Former Thoroughbred owner Gary Tanaka was sentenced to five years in prison for securities fraud while he helped run Amerindo Investment Advisors.

Winter Storm Impacting Live Racing Programs

Eastern racetracks are canceling live racing programs in advance of a massive winter storm expected to dump up more than two feet of snow on parts of the Mid-Atlantic region.

Frost Giant's First Foal a Jan. 31 Colt

Son of Giant's Causeway stands at Empire Stud near Hudson, N.Y.

NY Horse Industry Testifies at Senate Hearing

Representatives of the Thoroughbred industry testified Feb. 3 before various New York Senate committees looking into the state of the horse racing industry.

Bustin Stones Sires First Foal

Grade I winner Bustin Stones' first reported foal is a colt born Jan. 25 at Dr. Jerry Bilinski's Waldorf Farm near North Chatham, N.Y.

NY Waffling Frustrates Penn National Gaming

Foot-dragging and midstream rule changes look like prejudice against Penn National Gaming, according to Peter Carlino, the Pennsylvania-based company's CEO and chairman.

New York OTB Report: Racing Being Threatened

A state task force is recommending a series of changes in the law to address new competition for dwindling betting dollars and repair a situation that has created a damaging war in New York racing.

Stakes Winner Wild Desert to Unbridled Stable

Classic winner Wild Desert has been relocated to Susan Kayne's Unbridled Stable near Greenville, N.Y., where he will stand for $3,000.

Deputy Daney Lands Jimmy Winkfield

Philadelphia Park shipper Deputy Daney stretched his unbeaten steak to three Jan. 18, winning the Jan. 18 Jimmy Winkfield Stakes at Aqueduct.

NYRA to Cooperate With Comptroller

The New York Racing Association, as expected, backed down from its refusal to cooperate with a review of its finances by the state's chief fiscal watchdog.

NY Drug Testing Policy Halted by Court

The new policy in New York that would have allowed for out-of-competition testing has been put on hold because of a restraining order received by the Standardbred Owners Association of New York.

NY Breeders Group Issues Warning

The New York City Off-Track Betting Corp.'s bankruptcy petition and attempt to alter how it funds the industry risks undermining the state's already hard-hit breeding programs, New York's leading breeding group is warning.

NYRA: Toss Out NYCOTB Bankruptcy Petition

The recent bankruptcy petition by the New York City Off-Track Betting Corp. should be tossed out of federal court, the New York Racing Association argues in a lengthy legal brief filed Jan. 4 in Manhattan.

New York Uncorks New Testing Rules Jan. 1

New York racing authorities are authorized to conduct unannounced drug testing of horses expected to compete at tracks in the state even when if they are stabled far away under rules effective Jan. 1.

NYRA to Hold Belmont, But Money Will Run Out

NYRA president Charles Hayward said the state needs to choose a casino operator for Aqueduct or the association will run out of money in June, which puts the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) at risk. As of now, the race will be run.

Could Tribal Casino Open Near NYRA Tracks?

The federal government has given preliminary recognition to a Long Island Indian tribe, setting in motion development of a possible casino close to the New York Racing Association's two downstate tracks.

NY OTBs Ordered to Pay Harness Track Millions

New York's rules governing racetrack and off-track revenue-sharing took another twist Dec. 15 as state racing regulators ordered four downstate off-track betting corporations to pay millions of dollars to Yonkers Raceway.

Twilight Meteor to Saratoga Glen in New York

Twilight Meteor, a graded stakes-winning son of Smart Strike, has arrived for stallion duty in 2010 at Dan and Kathy Barraclough's Saratoga Glen Farm near Schuylerville, N.Y.

Weather KOs Racing Across the Country

A large winter storm sweeping across the country producing snow and high winds has caused several tracks to cancel their race cards for Dec. 9.

New York City OTB Seeks Reorganization Plan

New York City Off-Track Betting Corp. plans to seek Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection in an attempt to reorganize its business.

Noonmark Retired, to Stand in New York

Graded stakes-winning sprinter Noonmark has been retired and will stand at Becky Thomas and Dennis Narlinger's Sequel Stallions at Keane Stud near Amenia, N.Y.

Move Planned for New York Drug-Testing Lab

After nearly four decades, New York's Cornell University is moving to close its world-famous equine drug-testing laboratory. An equine science program at a state university 70 miles up the road is eagerly willing to take over, and expand, an operation vital to the state's horse industry.

NY Officials Discuss Aqueduct Casino Operator

Top state officials in New York are still discussing options for an operator of the long-delayed Aqueduct racetrack casino, but negotiators appear split on whether a final announcement needs to be a part of talks now underway to resolve the state's deficit.

Jockeys Luzzi, Maragh to Attend Atlas Dinner

Prominent jockeys Mike Luzzi and Rajiv Maragh will join boxing trainer and ESPN2 Friday Night Fights analyst Teddy Atlas in attending the annual Dr. Theodore A. Atlas Foundation Dinner.

Old Friends Satellite Opens in NY

Old Friends, located near Georgetown, Ky., has opened its first satellite for retired Thoroughbreds. Cabin Creek, a 40-acre farm just outside Saratoga Springs, N.Y., near Greenfield Center, will begin receiving horses immediately.

Repent to Stand at Empire Stud

Repent, whose son Crown of Thorns ran second in the Nov. 7 Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I), will stand in 2010 at Empire Stud near Hudson, N.Y.

Aqueduct Casino Said Down to Final Three

Negotiations for an Aqueduct casino operator have stepped up again, with a new flurry of talks between Gov. David Paterson and legislative leaders occurring in advance of a return by the state legislature the week of Nov. 16 to deal with New York's soaring deficit.

Saratoga Group Urges Action on VLT Operator

The Saratoga Race Course Local Advisory Board has asked state government leaders to resolve the issue of selecting an operator for the video lottery terminal project at Aqueduct.

All Five Aqueduct Bidders Meet Deadline

All five remaining bidders for the Aqueduct gaming project said they have met a Nov. 6 deadline to guarantee a quick $200-million payment to the state of New York if they are chosen to develop the video lottery terminal casino at the Queens racetrack.

Ice Plans to Move Stable to New York

Tim Ice, trainer of Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Summer Bird, will shift his stable from Louisiana to New York following the end of the Oaklawn Park meet next spring, he said Nov. 2.

Catienus to Stand at McMahon in New York

Catienus, a former New York leading sire, will stand in 2010 at Joe and Anne McMahon's McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds near Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Aqueduct Bidders Asked Again For Final Offers

The six bidding groups vying for the Aqueduct casino rights have been asked to submit their "final" offers -- again -- to the state of New York, along with a new promise for a large and quick payment.

Mullins' Attorney Calls Action 'Witch Hunt'

New York's top racetracks are off limits to trainer Jeff Mullins for six months in a case his attorney claims is a "witch hunt."

Price Reduction for NY Foal Nominations

The New York Thoroughbred Breeders and New York Racing Association announced a price reduction in foal nominations to the New York Stallion Stakes Series for progeny of New York-based stallions.

Owner Among Those Charged in Betting Bust

Owner Andrew Berg, who races horses with partner Joseph Taub under the name Gumpster Stables, had his license revoked Oct. 21 by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board after he was indicted along with 29 other individuals and one corporation in the bust of an illegal multimillion-dollar off-shore sports betting operation.

City Zip Filly Brings $55,000 in N.Y. Sale

A weanling filly by City Zip sold for $55,000 to top the New York Breeders Sales Company's fall breeding stock sale Oct. 18 at Saratoga Race Course. New Jersey bloodstock agent Buzz Chace, acting on behalf of West Point Thoroughbreds, purchased her from Waldorf Farm, agent.