BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

New York Gaming Commission Taking Shape

More than a year after it was created by law, the New York Gaming Commission is getting closer to having board members in place who can fully run the new agency.

NYRA Names 3-Person Interim Management Team

The New York Racing Association board of directors, at a meeting late in the afternoon of April 29, appointed an interim management team to run the corporation's racetracks until a new chief executive officer is hired.

NYRA Contract with AmTote Approved

A New York regulatory panel has approved a new 10-year tote contract between the New York Racing Association and AmTote International. NYRA had been aligned with Churchill Downs Inc.'s United Tote.

Wing Named to NYRA Media Relations Position

The New York Racing Association, Inc. has named Eric Wing to the position of director of communications and media relations.

NYTHA Establishes Equine Retirement Program

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association has launched a retirement program for Thoroughbreds stabled at New York Racing Association tracks.

NYRA Not Close to Naming McClain's Successor

Six weeks after the official start of the search for a chief executive officer for the New York Racing Association, chairman David Skorton indicated that the board is not close to naming Ellen McClain's successor.

What's Going On Here - Uniform Security

Security at racetracks 
has been too reactionary.

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NYRA Seeking New General Counsel

Less than a year after the New York Racing Association hired a veteran lawyer to help clean up its reputation in the wake of the betting takeout scandal, the now state-run racing corporation is moving to find a replacement.

Thirty Horses Set for Saratoga Walk of Fame

Patterned after Hollywood's Walk of Fame, the new attraction is part of the 150th anniversary of Thoroughbred racing at the track. New York Racing Association and the Saratoga 150 Committee announced plans.

Artist Marilyn Newmark Meiselman Dies

Celebrated equine sculptor and avid horsewoman Marilyn Newmark Meiselman died March 8 from pneumonia at the age of 84.

NYRA's 2-Year-Old Stakes Bonus Back in 2013

A $100,000 bonus will be offered to the connections of any juvenile who breaks its maiden during the Aqueduct winter/spring or Belmont Park spring/summer meet and wins a graded stakes at a NYRA track in 2013.

NYRA Hires Firm to Conduct Search for CEO

The New York Racing Association Feb. 27 hired a firm to conduct a search for a new chief executive officer and formed a task force to develop a long-range plan for the organization.

Dominguez Working Toward Return to Racing

Jockey Ramon Dominguez, injured in a Jan. 18 spill at Aqueduct Racetrack, discussed his rehabilitation in a Feb. 14 interview with NYRA television analyst and former jockey Richard Migliore.

NYRA Unveils Redesigned Website

The New York Racing Association, Inc. has unveiled a redesigned website that the racing organization says is designed to be accessible for all visitors, regardless of their previous experience with racing.

NY Begins Search for Equine Medical Director

A search committee has been formed to find an equine veterinary medical director for the New York Racing Association.

NYRA Establishes Equine Safety Review Board

The New York Racing Association has established an equine safety review board to review and assess fatal equine racing and training injuries at the organization's racetracks: Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga.

Aqueduct Approved to Drop Six Live Dates

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will drop six scheduled live race days from the 2013 Aqueduct winter/spring meet calendar, a decision approved by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board Jan. 31.

NY Senator: Consider Belmont Park for Casino

The New York Senate's top Republican wants Belmont Park to be included in the list of possible casino expansion locations.

McClain Resigns as NYRA President

New York Racing Association President and COO Ellen McClain announced Jan. 25 that she is resigning from her role, and board leaders said they would immediately begin a national search to find a replacement.

Hayward Speaks Out on Termination at NYRA

Former New York Racing Association president and chief executive officer Charles Hayward said Jan. 24 he wants the association to meet its obligations in the wake of his being fired last year.

Improving Dominguez Switches Hospitals

Ramon Dominguez, diagnosed with a skull fracture as a result of a recent spill, continues to improve and was transferred Jan. 22 from Jamaica Hospital in Queens to New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

Thoroughbred Owner Files Suit Against NYRA

Owner Jacob Haddad has filed a lawsuit against NYRA in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, seeking $500,000 and other damages to be determined at trial.

NYRA Registers Strong Handle Growth for Year

In its first full year receiving added money for purses from the Resorts World Casino New York City at Aqueduct Racetrack, the New York Racing Association registered strong pari-mutuel handle in 2012.

NYRA to Consider Synthetic for Aqueduct

Installing a synthetic surface for the inner track at Aqueduct Racetrack for the 2013-14 winter season is among the changes to NYRA policies and operations that will be considered by the board at its Jan. 25 meeting.

Lower Takeout Among NY Council's Suggestions

The New York Racing Fan Advisory Council has released its formal recommendations for ways to improve horse racing in the state, and at the top of the list is lower pari-mutuel takeout.

Dominguez Wins Fourth Straight NYRA Title

Two-time defending Eclipse champion jockey Ramon Dominguez won his fourth straight riding title on The New York Racing Association circuit while Rick Dutrow Jr. and David Jacobson emerged in a tie for leading trainer.

NYC OTB Legislation Vetoed by Governor

Legislation to bring off-track betting back to New York City was vetoed Dec. 17 by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

New NYRA Board to Address Ethics

The board is expected to adopt a new code of ethics for board members and employees and put in place legal requirements regarding disclosure of outside business activities by board members.

Migliore to Host NYRA's New Owners Luncheon

Retired jockey Richard Migliore will host the New York Racing Association's eighth "New Owners Luncheon" at Aqueduct Racetrack Dec. 16.

Jockey Dominguez Sidelined for Three Weeks

Top jock Ramon Dominguez will miss the next three weeks of racing after recently bruising his foot at Aqueduct Racetrack, his agent Steve Rushing said.

Timeline for NYRA Tote Operator Delayed

A move to name a new tote operator at the New York Racing Association was put off until at least the end of next summer's Saratoga meet, a state government oversight panel decided in Albany Nov. 26.

Total Handle Up, Attendance Down at Belmont

The New York Racing Association posted an 11.5% gain in total handle during the recently concluded Belmont Park fall meet, which ran 36 days from Sept. 8 to Oct. 28.

NYRA Board Meetings to be Open to Public

Long accustomed to holding board meetings in secret, the New York Racing Association will cease the closed-door practice and follow the state's open meetings law by making the gatherings open to the public.

Live Racing Canceled at Aqueduct for Nov. 7

Due to a forecast of rain and strong winds, the New York Racing Association has canceled live racing at Aqueduct for Wednesday, Nov. 7. Simulcasting will still be conducted.

NYRA to Donate to Red Cross for Sandy Relief

The New York Racing Association will contribute to Hurricane Sandy disaster relief in New York with a $100,000 donation to the American Red Cross.

Aqueduct to Open for Simulcasting Oct. 31

Aqueduct Racetrack will open for simulcasting at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, while Belmont Park's simulcast facilities will remain closed for the day due to ongoing power outages as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

Dominguez Wins Belmont Riding Title

Two-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Ramon Dominguez continued his domination of The New York Racing Association circuit as he added the 2012 Belmont Park fall meet to list of riding titles.

New York Will Review Tote Service Deal

New York state, in the first full day controlling the New York Racing Association, said it will review a tentative deal track officials previously made to replace United Tote as NYRA's totalizator contractor.

State Now Controls NYRA; New Board Appointed

The New York Racing Association is now the nation's largest state-controlled racing entity, paving a new and highly uncertain future for the not-for-profit corporation that has seen its highs and lows.

NY Regulators Adopt Safety Recommendations

Prodded by a rash of equine deaths at Aqueduct Racetrack last winter, the New York State Racing and Wagering Board Oct. 11 imposed what officials promised will be the first round of rules intended to make for safer racing.

Belmont Moves Juvenile Turf Stakes to Monday

The New York Racing Association has moved the Pilgrim and Miss Grillo Stakes, a pair of juvenile stakes races scheduled for the turf, to the Oct. 8 card due to weather concerns.

And They're Off: Octoberfest Edition

Steve and Lenny examine the BC Ladies' Classic, Juvenile Fillies, I'll Have Another, Aqueduct and the Illinois Derby. Plus a list of the top 10 things Churchill will do if it take's over NYRA. Sponsored by Darby Dan Farm.

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Cuomo Signs NYRA Reorganization Bill

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo today signed a new law creating a three-year takeover by the state of the embattled New York Racing Association.

Alliance Eyes Spot Checks After NY Report

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance plans to do spot checks to ensure accredited racetracks are adhering to its code of standards, an alliance official said Sept. 29.

Report: Deficiencies Had Role in Horse Deaths

A task force has determined the spate of fatal racehorse breakdowns at Aqueduct Racetrack this past winter was primarily the result of structural deficiencies in rules and regulations employed by NYRA and racing regulators.

Report: State to Seek Bids to Operate NYRA

Just days before the state is to take over control of the New York Racing Association, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is sending signals he wants to put the operation of the racing entity out to bid to for-profit companies.

Board Wants to Sell Some Land at Belmont Park

Just weeks before the Cuomo administration takes over the New York Racing Association, state officials are moving to sell what they say are two underused parcels of land at Belmont Park.

Saratoga Diary: Bridgetown, Bartenders, Bingo

NYRA scheduled the best horses to race Wednesday in the fifth race instead of the ninth or the tenth.

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$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.

Travers Contenders Face New Security Measures

New York state racing regulators will impose new security protocols for horses racing in the upcoming Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, though they are less burdensome than those put in place during this year's Belmont.