BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

ACRC: Track Left for Dead Offers Stability

A racetrack whose obituary was written more than 10 years ago finds itself in the odd situation of being the most stable track in New Jersey -- for now at least -- as it prepares to open its 65th season April 28.

Monmouth Purses Down at Least 40%

As expected, purses won't be nearly as high as they were last year when Monmouth Park begins its 2011 meet May 14.

Turfway Bucks Trend; Ontrack Handle Up 13.5%

Turfway Park reported across-the-board increases in pari-mutuel handle for its 2011 winter/spring meet in the face of national figures that show total handle on United States racing is down 8.5% for the same period.

Economic Indicators: Purses Up, Wagering Down

Key economic indicators for North American racing in March and the first three months of 2011 reflected a continuation of the trend in which wagering is down but purses are up.

New York Lawmakers Reject Purse Surcharge

A proposed 2.75% state surcharge on purses on New York races was rejected by lawmakers in a last-minute round of state budget talks at the Capitol in Albany.

River Downs, Horsemen Agree on 93 Racing Days

Having compromised on the number of racing dates, Pinnacle Entertainment and the Ohio Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association have agreed on a contract for the 2011 meet at River Downs.

Changes in Store for 2011 Colonial Meet

The $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup (gr. IIT) at Colonial Downs June 18 is now open to older turf horses -- one of several changes for the 2011 summer meet at Colonial Downs.

Survey Shows HBPAs Spent $11M on Benevolence

The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association is compiling the results of a survey that shows its 30 affiliates spent almost $11 million on benevolence programs last year.

Horsemen Told to Closely Guard Purse Accounts

Horsemen were told March 18 of the importance of keeping close watch of purse accounts, money from which sometimes ends up commingled with racetrack operating accounts or tangled in bankruptcy cases.

MD Breeders Eligible for Bonuses at Pimlico

Breeders of registered Maryland-bred horses that win any maiden race at the Pimlico Race Course spring meet will receive a 14.5% "loyalty" bonus, the Maryland Horse Breeders Association announced March 8.

Economic Indicators: Good News and Bad News

There was good news and bad news March 4 when Equibase released its monthly report on Thoroughbred Racing Economic Indicators.

Mountaineer Begins 210-Day Meet March 1

Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort will begin its 210-day meet March 1 with a schedule similar to that of last year.

Arlington Purses to be Based on Field Sizes

Arlington Park and Illinois horsemen have agreed to tie individual race purses to field size this year in an effort to ensure more bettable races.

Source: Suffolk Wants Signals, Could Close

Suffolk Downs has threatened to shut down in March if the New England Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and other chapters across the country do not restore simulcast signals by Feb. 26, according to a source.

Purses Up Bit In January But Handle Off 9.7%

United States purses increased slightly in January year-over-year despite a reduction in racing days, but pari-mutuel handle on U.S. races dropped almost 10%.

Pope: Reward Horses Generating Handle

Thoroughbred industry marketer Fred Pope outlines a plan to reward the owners of the most popular horses with bonus purse money.

Read Blog

Carlino: 'We're Not Running Public Charity'

Penn National Gaming Inc. believes racetrack gaming can be a major economic driver but shouldn't be viewed as a means to increase pari-mutuel wagering on racing, company president Peter Carlino said.

Laurel Gets First VLT-Funded Purse Increase

Video lottery terminal revenue from two Maryland casinos will fund a 16% increase in purses at Laurel Park effective Feb. 2.

Indy Budget: 45% Cut in Racing's Slots Share

The proposed Indiana budget bill includes a line item that would almost cut in half the amount horse racing receives from racetrack slot machines.

Bill Provides $30M for New Jersey Racing

A bill that would shift $30 million from the Casino Redevelopment Authority to the horse racing industry over a three-year period progressed in the New Jersey legislature Jan. 10.

Wagering Fell 7.3%, Purses Down 6.1% in 2010

Wagering on Thoroughbred racing in the United States fell 7.3% and purses declined 6% in 2010, continuing the trends seen in recent years as the industry remains mired in recession.

Mixed Results at Shorter Turfway Park Meet

Turfway Park, which raced four days a week instead of five during its holiday meet, reported an increase in average daily ontrack wagering but as expected a decrease in average daily all-sources pari-mutuel handle.

Charles Town Reports 8.1% Jump in 2010 Handle

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races reported gains in total pari-mutuel handle for its 2010 meet, which spanned 227 full programs and four partial cards through Dec. 31.

Mountaineer Calendar: 210 Racing Days in 2011

Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort will offer 210 days of live Thoroughbred racing in 2011 beginning March 1.

Hastings to Offer Higher Purses in 2011

Hastings Racecourse & Slots will offer a 71-day Thoroughbred meet in 2011 and increase purses double digits, officials said.

Parameters of Maryland Agreement Discussed

The Maryland Jockey Club will receive more than $5 million for operations under the parameters of a negotiated agreement that will maintain a full 146-day live Thoroughbred racing schedule in the state.

Midwest Regional: Hoosiers Go Higher

Purse increases create interest in Indiana racing.

Download Now

$50K Still Buys Quality Stakes Field in KY

The Dec. 18 Prairie Bayou Stakes at Turfway Park says a couple of things about the state of Kentucky racing: Purses aren't up to par, and $50,000 can still buy you a pretty good field.

Remington Handle Spikes 48.3% at Recent Meet

Total wagering on live Thoroughbred races at Remington Park was up 48.3% to $54,179,243 this year, officials at the Oklahoma racetrack said Dec. 13.

Evans: Optimism, But Not Without Changes

Churchill Downs Inc. president and chief executive officer Bob Evans said Dec. 7 there are reasons to be optimistic about the future of horse racing -- but not without major changes in the way the industry does business.

Declines in U.S. Wagering, Purses Continue

Wagering, purses and race days in United States Thoroughbred racing continued a downward spiral in November compared to one year ago, according to the latest available data.

Turfway Kicks Off Four Months of KY Racing

The Kentucky racing scene shifts to Turfway Park Dec. 2 for a fourth-month run that comprises two meets. The holiday meet will run through Dec. 31, followed by the winter-spring meet from Jan. 1-April 3, 2011.

Turfway Trims Purses to Maintain Stakes Slate

Faced with making a decision brought about by the battering of the Kentucky horse racing industry, Turfway Park has opted to cut some overnight purses in order to maintain a weekly stakes schedule.

Handle, Purses, Race Days Down in October

Wagering and purses for Thoroughbred racing declined again in October, in part because of a decrease of 61 race days from the same month in 2009.

Most Averages Up at Scaled-Down Retama Meet

A greatly scaled-down meet offered fewer opportunities for horsemen but generated on-site gains at Retama Park, which wrapped up its live meet Oct. 23.

Purses, Handle, Field Size Up at Hoosier Park

Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Indiana reported strong across-the-board gains for its 2010 meet that ended Oct. 24.

Through Eight Days, Keeneland Reports Gains

Through the first eight days of its fall meet, Keeneland reported solid increases in ontrack attendance and pari-mutuel handle, and steady all-sources wagering.

Handle Down, But Decline Not as Severe

Total pari-mutuel handle on United States racing through September 2010 was about $700 million behind the figure for the same period in 2009, according to the latest Thoroughbred Racing Economic Indicators.

Remington Reports Healthy Increase in Handle

Remington Park in Oklahoma reported strong gains in pari-mutuel handle for the first 20 days of its 66-day Thoroughbred meet.

Belmont to Increase Purses

Starting with the card on Saturday, Sept. 25, the New York Racing Association will increase purses at Belmont Park's fall championship meet by approximately 13%.

Officials Bullish on Future Monmouth Meets

Despite political and financial uncertainty, New Jersey officials expect Monmouth Park to offer a similar schedule in 2011 and already are discussing ways to improve upon this year's Elite Summer Meet.

Ellis Park Reports Solid Numbers for Meet

Unlike 2009, when purses and live racing days were cut, Ellis Park reported solid numbers for its 27-day meet that ended Sept. 6.

Indicators: Handle Off $100 Million in August

Pari-mutuel handle was off by about $100 million in August compared with the same month in 2009, yet another indication any rebound will take longer than some in the industry imagined.

Experiment With Fewer Dates Continues in KY

Another experimental year continues in Kentucky as Ellis Park wraps up its summer meet and Turfway Park prepares for a scaled-down session with only one stakes.

Monmouth Adjusts Purse Structure for Fall

Monmouth Park's post-Labor Day meet will offer higher average daily purses than originally projected, officials at the New Jersey racetrack said Aug. 24.

Keeneland Feeling Squeeze; Offers Buyouts

Keeneland has offered buyouts to some of its employees in the wake of a financial crunch brought about by a number of factors.

New-Look Remington Ready for 2010 Meet

Remington Park in Oklahoma has a new owner and a new look for its 2010 Thoroughbred meet, which begins Aug. 19. More than $12 million will be spent on renovations, officials said.

Hoosier Park Raises Some Overnight Purses 9%

Hoosier Park Racing & Casino raised overnight purses about 9% for six middle-class conditions effective Aug. 11.

Overnight Purses to Fall 10% at Mountaineer

For the first time in recent memory, the minimum purse at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort has fallen under $8,000 because of a purse reduction.

Card Games Aid Charles Town Handle Increase

Pari-mutuel handle on live and simulcast racing has increased at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races since casino table games were added to the mix at the West Virginia facility, officials said Aug. 4.