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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.

Saratoga Diary: Drinking It In

NYRA, in conjunction with America's Best Racing -- an initiative of The Jockey Club -- announced it will be hosting classes at Saratoga Racecourse to help newcomers through the maze of the sport on six days this meet.

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Numbers Remain Strong at Saratoga

After 10 days of racing at the boutique Saratoga Race Course meet, wagering and attendance continue on an up-tick, according to the New York Racing Association.

2012 Travers Celebration Set for Aug. 23

This year's Travers Celebration on Aug. 23 will benefit the Backstretch Employee Service Team, the Times Union Hope Fund, and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

Saratoga Diary: Keeneland on the Hudson

Problems with water, sound, and wi-fi, good racing, and long lines at Hattie's mark opening day at Saratoga.

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Attendance, Handle Up as Saratoga Opens

Attendance, on-track handle, and total handle all posted gains over 2011 totals as 25,676 turned out for opening day of the 144th meeting at Saratoga Race Course July 20.

Handle Increases Continue at Belmont Park

On-track handle, total handle, and New York Racing Association Rewards account wagering continued their upward trends at the 2012 Belmont Park spring/summer meet which ran 55 days from April 27 through July 15.

Free Wireless Internet Available at Saratoga

The New York Racing Association will introduce free wireless internet on opening day at Saratoga Race Course July 20.

Report: NYRA Board Intact Through Saratoga

Despite Gov. Andrew Cuomo's stinging criticism of its abilities, the New York Racing Association's board of directors will not be replaced before the start of NYRA's financially crucial Saratoga Racecourse meet.

Report Reveals Details of NYRA's Rough Year

An annual report released by a state government panel overseeing the New York Racing Association's finances reached an obvious conclusion: it's been a rough year for the organization.

NYRA: Eight is Enough

Limiting field size makes races less attractive to bet on.

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NYRA Unveils Marketing Director to Panel

With the state government about to take control of its operations, the New York Racing Association on June 26 unveiled its new marketing director to a state financial control panel.

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.

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.

TwinSpires.com Rebates New York Wagers

The Churchill Downs-owned ADW issued rebates on New York wagers that were assessed the wrong takeout over 14 months.

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.

Cuomo Backs Off Aqueduct Casino Project

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is backing off plans to construct a massive casino and convention center with a Malaysian-based gambling conglomerate on the grounds of the Aqueduct Racetrack.

'Stakes' Barn to Be Used for Belmont Horses

The New York State Racing and Wagering Board has issued a set of protocols for horses running in the Belmont Stakes, the most notable one being the use of a stakes barn, to which all Belmont starters must go beginning June 6.

'The Mig' to Tour Belmont Oval With Gutierrez

As jockey Mario Gutierrez prepares for a coveted Triple Crown in the June 9 Belmont Stakes, he will have the advice of retired rider Richard Migliore, who recorded 1,352 wins at Belmont Park during his career.

Wagering, Attendance Up on Met Mile Card

With four graded stakes highlighted by the Metropolitan Mile Handicap (gr. I), Belmont Park posted double digit increases in attendance and all-source handle for the May 28 Memorial Day card.

No Nasal Strip, No Problem, O'Neill Says

I'll Have Another won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness wearing a nasal strip. He'll make his first start in the Belmont without one because NYRA bans nasal strips. The reason for the ban is unclear.

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.

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.

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.

NYRA Names New Executives

The New York Racing Association has named Ellen McClain as its new president and Kenneth V. Handal as acting general counsel and chief ethics and compliance officer.

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."

Hayward Responds to Takeout Allegations

Charlie Hayward urged the state to investigate quickly and "get the facts." He said no deliberate action was taken to keep the pari-mutuel takeout at an illegally higher rate on exotics.

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.

NYRA Fires Hayward, Kehoe Amid Probe

The New York Racing Association has fired president Charles Hayward May 4 following revelations he may have known the racing group was violating state law by not lowering takeouts on exotic wagers.

NY Inspector General Investigating NYRA

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

NYRA Under Fire; Two on Leave Without Pay

When it was revealed last year that takeout rates on exotic wagers were not lowered as required by law, executives with the New York Racing Association said they were caught unaware of the problem.

NYRA Reports Handle Gains for Aqueduct Meet

Pari-mutuel handle at this year's 78-day Aqueduct winter/spring meet was up across the board, the New York Racing Association reported April 26.

Will NYRA Casino Revenues Last?

The New York Racing Association took in $22.1 million in gross revenues during the first three months of the year from its new Aqueduct casino. But the question for NYRA is simple: will it last?

Former NYRA Racing Official Hamilton Dies

Richard L. Hamilton, a former steward and longtime racing official for the New York Racing Association, died April 18 at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany, N.Y., after suffering a heart attack. He was 76.

NYRA Challenges Methodology on Injury Rates

The New York Racing Association is challenging the methodology used by The New York Times to determine horse injury rates that were the basis for a front page article published March 25.

United Tote Error Leads to Incorrect Takeout

Due to an error originating with the United Tote totalisator system located in Kentucky, customers that wagered through NYRA on Keeneland's April 6 card and the first two races April 7, were charged incorrect takeout rates.

After the Thrill Is Gone - By Evan Hammonds

The bread-and-butter meets in Kentucky are teetering on the brink

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NYRA Complying With Refunds on Overcharges

The New York Racing Association said it is meeting a state request to refund money by March 30 to as many bettors it could identify that were overcharged when NYRA failed to follow a state law to lower its takeout on exotics.

NY Groups Team to Aid Retired Thoroughbreds

Three organizations in New York are teaming up to develop second career opportunities for retired Thoroughbred racehorses by way of a program called TAKE2.

State Wants NYRA to Probe Aqueduct Breakdowns

The administration of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has sent a letter to the New York Racing Association advising it to hire an investigator to analyze 15 fatal breakdowns that have occurred at Aqueduct since Nov. 30.

Steeplechase Festival at Saratoga Scheduled

The Saratoga Springs community will host the inaugural Steeplechase Festival at Saratoga, a day of racing set for Sept. 15.

Jockey Club Sets Up Injury Reporting Website

The Jockey Club announced March 5 that more than a dozen racetracks have committed to publishing their statistics from the Equine Injury Database through a new website set up by the breed registry.

Optimism Abounds in New York Thanks to VLTs

Legislators, regulators, and racetrack executives are expressing growing optimism about the state of the horse racing in New York.

NYRA Announces Enticing Bonus for 2YOs

NYRA has announced a $100,000 bonus for any 2-year-old who breaks its maiden at the 2012 Belmont Park spring meet and goes on to win a graded stakes at Saratoga, Belmont, or Aqueduct in 2012.

NYRA Proposes More Pari-Mutuel Wagering

The New York Racing Association is proposing a plan to let it operate pari-mutuel wagering in an initial 10 bars and restaurants in New York City.

Jockeys' Guild Seeks Contracts With Tracks

On the heels of signing a contract with Churchill Downs Inc. that ended a protracted stalemate, the Jockeys' Guild is preparing to launch an initiative to get other tracks to enter into agreements with the organization.

TRF Retraining Program Funded by Foundation

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation has partnered with the Harriet E. Pfleger Foundation and several New York racing organizations to create a program to retrain up to 100 Thoroughbreds per year from New York tracks.