BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

What's Going On Here - Uniform Security

Security at racetracks 
has been too reactionary.

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What's Going On Here - Looking Like We Care

If racetracks look like they don't care, why should the new fan?

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Survey: Finding the Top Middle-Market Tracks

The Blood-Horse wants to know which middle-market racetracks are the leaders in quality of racing, customer service, and entertainment.

NJ Voters Favoring Sports Betting at Tracks

A recent poll showed 52% of New Jersey voters in favor of allowing sports betting at racetracks and Atlantic City casinos. A referendum on whether sports betting should be legalized will be on the Nov. 8 ballot.

The Battle of Salix - By Eric Mitchell

The medication summit will shed plenty of light on how the U.S. can 
improve its policies.

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Powell Helping Group Look for Racetracks

Lonny Powell, most recently an executive with Youbet.com, is helping a group identify and examine potential racetrack purchases.

CDI Wants Trust for Guild Payments

Churchill Downs Inc. has asked a federal bankruptcy court to ensure funds its member tracks contribute to the Jockeys' Guild be used for their intended purposes and not for other needs the financially-troubled organization may choose.

Meeker: New Churchill CEO Must Have Global View

The next chief executive officer of Churchill Downs Inc. must have an understanding of technology and the "globalization" of the pari-mutuel industry, current CEO and president Tom Meeker said.

Help Wanted: Churchill Begins Search for Meeker's Successor

Churchill Downs Inc. announced Thursday that the company had initiated a formal succession-planning process for the position of president and chief executive officer, which is currently held by Thomas H. Meeker. Meeker's current employment contract with CDI will expire in March 2007. Meeker plans to retire from the company and step down from its board of directors upon the expiration of his employment contract.

Centennial (Cella)bration: Oaklawn Turns 100

Brainstorming for ideas to celebrate Oaklawn Park's centennial in 2004, track owner Charles Cella turned into the $6-million man late last summer. At the ripe old age of 67, Cella stunned his colleagues when he said he was going to offer a $5-million bonus to any 3-year-old that swept Oaklawn's Rebel Stakes and Arkansas Derby (gr. II) and then won the Kentucky Derby (gr. I). He also raised the purse of the Arkansas Derby to $1 million.

E-mbarrassing

By T.D. Thornton -- Effort to obtain information from racetracks via e-mail elicits mixed reaction.

Churchill Stock on Roller-Coaster Ride

After rising to a 52-week high of $37.24 at one point Monday, the price of Churchill Downs' stock had fallen $2.72 (-7.36%) to $34.25 by mid-afternoon Wednesday.

Court Upholds Warrantless Searches at Tracks, Except in Dorms

A federal appeals court has upheld the ability of regulators in New York to conduct unannounced searches of racetracks without warrants to investigate illegal equine drug use and other activities that may affect the integrity of racing in the state. But the 2nd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals said the investigators from the state Racing and Wagering Board went too far in 1997 when they also searched dormitories used by grooms at Yonkers Raceway

Sun and Fun at Pimlico Belie Industry Problems

For one day, the sun shone on Maryland racing. On July 7, closing day at Pimlico, kids frolicked in the infield, nearly 6,500 patrons risked their dollars on the horses, and Joe De Francis, president and CEO of the Maryland Jockey Club, got dunked in the dunking booth.

On-Track Numbers Decline at Churchill; Betting at Record Level

Although on-track attendance and betting fell, total all-source wagering during the Churchill Downs spring meet reached a record $522.4 million.

Churchill Reports Record Revenues, Earnings for 2000

Churchill Downs Incorporated reported Tuesday that it had record revenues and earnings for the year ended December 31, 2000. Net revenues for the year totaled $362.0 million, a 40 percent increase over $258.4 million in 1999. Net earnings were $19.2 million, a 28 percent increase over $15.0 million last year. Earnings per share for the year were $1.75, compared with $1.72 in 1999.

Magna Reports $9.2 Million Fourth Quarter Loss

Magna Entertainment, the racetrack company chaired by owner-breeder Frank Stronach, reported Monday a net loss of $9.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2000. For the year, the company reported net income of $441,000 on revenue of $413.6 million. The fiscal year profit was a reversal from 2000, when Magna posted a $62,000 loss; the 2000 fourth quarter loss was $3-million.

Fair Grounds Meet Off to Solid Start

Despite intermitent rain and an important NFL football game featuring the local New Orleans Saints, opening week of racing at Fair Grounds produced increased attendance and handle from the previous year. Fair Grounds opened its 129th season of racing Thursday, with a crowd of 7,158, the third-largest crowd at Fair Grounds since the facility reopned in 1997 after it was destroyed by fire.

For Sale: One-Third Interest in Turfway Park

A subsidiary of lottery giant GTECH Holdings Corp. is putting its one-third interest in Turfway Park racetrack up for sale.

Indiana Panel Asked to Reconsider Track Rejection

The developer of a proposed second horse racing track in Indiana has filed a petition with the state racing commission seeking reconsideration of his license rejection.

Churchill's Revenues, Earnings Soar

Churchill Downs reported Wednesday that net revenues increased 57% to $131.9 million and net earnings rose 34% to $18.3 million during the second quarter of fiscal year 2000.