BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

PNGI: No Plans to Exit Maryland Venture

Penn National Gaming Inc. said Nov. 30 its joint venture with MI Developments in Maryland will continue, and that it planned to work on an "expedited basis" to devise a 2011 live racing schedule in the state.

Pinnacle Confirms $45M Deal for River Downs

Las Vegas-based Pinnacle Entertainment confirmed Nov. 26 it has a deal to purchase River Downs near Cincinnati, Ohio, for $45 million.

Court Upholds Hialeah Provision in 2010 Law

A state court in Tallahassee, Fla., Nov. 22 ruled in favor of Hialeah Park on one count of a lawsuit that challenges its legal right to build a casino with Las Vegas-style slot machines.

Poll Shows Support for Slots at Meadowlands

An informal poll conducted by the Hall Institute the week of Nov. 15 showed more than half would support installing slot machines at Meadowlands in New Jersey.

NY Horsemen Oppose Plans for Indian Casino

New York's largest horsemen's group is among the latest calling on the Paterson administration to halt a looming agreement with a Wisconsin Indian tribe to build a casino in the Catskill Mountains.

Maryland Horsemen Fighting for Race Dates

With a Dec. 1 deadline on racing dates looming, Maryland horsemen are advocating a schedule similar to that of 2010 even though a shutdown of Laurel Park for live racing and training is on the table.

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.

OH Governor-elect to Study Racetrack VLT Plan

Republican Ohio Gov.-elect John Kasich wants to study a plan to put video lottery terminals at the state's racetracks, a move that has the Ohio Lottery Commission in a holding pattern on the proposal.

Pinnacle to Suspend Simulcast Operations

Pinnacle Race Course officials shut down the Detroit, Mich.-area track following the end of its live meet Oct. 31 and announced that simulcast operations would be suspended until at least the spring 2011.

KY Lawmakers Warming to Racetrack Slots Vote?

There may be growing sentiment in the Kentucky legislature to pass a measure authorizing a constitutional amendment on racetrack gaming, officials indicated after the Nov. 2 election.

MJC Considers Options in Wake of Slots Vote

The Maryland Jockey Club will map out a plan for the future over the next several weeks and the closure of Laurel Park for live racing and training remains a real possibility, officials said Nov. 3.

Maryland Voters OK Zoning for Mall Slots

Voters in Anne Arundel County, Md., approved a ballot measure that grants zoning for a slot machine casino at the Arundel Mills Mall.

MJC: Racing at Laurel Hinges on Slots Vote

A plan to put slot machines at Arundel Mills Mall instead of Laurel Park is the driving force of a Nov. 2 referendum in Anne Arundel County, Md.

Pinnacle to Grow, But No River Sale Comment

Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. reported a reduced net income loss for the third quarter and said it's looking to expand into new markets while adhering to "disciplined capital-spend and return metrics."

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.

Sources: River Downs Sold to Casino Company

River Downs near Cincinnati, Ohio, has been sold to Pinnacle Entertainment, a gaming company that operates a casino in neighboring Indiana, according to sources close to the matter.

KY Breed Incentive Changes Being Considered

A Kentucky Horse Racing Commission committee is considering changes to the state's Breeders' Incentive Fund, money for which comes from a 6% sales tax on stud fees.

Beulah Park to Reopen Under New Ownership

Beulah Park, which has changed hands several times in its long history, will open its 2010-11 meet Oct. 12 under the new ownership of Penn National Gaming Inc.

Battle Lines Drawn in NYCOTB Reorganization

Officials said they are close to a deal to try to bring New York City Off-Track Betting Corp. out of bankruptcy protection, but that a final agreement is being blocked by several harness tracks in the state.

Bright Spot Can't Hide Reality in Kentucky

A positive day for horse racing at Turfway Park couldn't hide the fact the track's product, and the Kentucky horse racing and breeding industry in general, are suffering.

NJ Lawmakers Question Commission Report

New Jersey lawmakers questioned the research behind a report on gaming and racing in the state Sept. 29 and suggested it left too many unanswered questions, particularly in regard to options for the horse racing industry.

Del Park Gives Bonus Experiment Some Time

Delaware Park has received mostly favorable feedback on its ontrack exacta bonus experiment, but its potential may be hard to gauge until it has a chance to grow.

Aqueduct VLT Contract Gets Comptroller's OK

Nine years after first being approved, the last major hurdle for the Aqueduct video lottery terminal casino project was cleared Sept. 13 when the state's chief fiscal watchdog gave his approval for the project.

NJ Racing Interests Seek 'Diversification'

A second "summit meeting" on horse racing and gaming was held in New Jersey Sept. 10.

Round Table Sounds Optimism, Cooperation

Participants in The Jockey Club Round Table Aug. 22 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., sought to convey optimism and opportunity in the face of declines in many facets of the Thoroughbred industry.

Poll: Racing, Track Gaming Supported in NJ

A recent poll indicates support for horse racing and racetrack gaming in New Jersey.

Trend of Fewer Racing Dates Continues in Ohio

Total racing dates would continue to drop under 2011 requests submitted by Ohio's seven racetracks Aug. 19.

Optimistic Canterbury Reports Stable Earnings

Though legislation to authorize electronic gaming continues to stall in Minnesota, Canterbury Park officials remain optimistic in the wake of a fairly stable second-quarter earnings report.

Paterson, Legislators Sign Aqueduct VLT Pact

It has taken three governors four different tries, but Gov. David Paterson and legislative leaders made it official Aug. 17: Genting New York will be the operator of the Aqueduct video lottery terminal casino.

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.

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.

Churchill Undecided on Form of Instant Racing

Churchill Downs has not decided whether to implement a form of Instant Racing should the VLT-like games be approved for Kentucky tracks, according to Churchill Downs Inc. president and CEO Robert Evans.

Harrah's Completes Purchase of Thistledown

Harrah's Entertainment said July 28 it has completed its purchase of Thistledown near Cleveland, Ohio, from MI Developments.

KY Judge Expedites Instant Racing Petition

A Kentucky judge is expediting the process by which various parties in the horse racing industry have requested a ruling on proposed administrative regulations involving Instant Racing.

Ohio Lottery Moves Ahead on Racetrack VLTs

After more than a year of delays, plans to outfit Ohio racetracks with thousands of video lottery terminals are on the fast track.

KY Hopes Talk of Aid for Racing Legitimate

On the heels of a successful opening weekend at Ellis Park comes word of a few initiatives that, if they come to fruition, could generate or repurpose revenue for Kentucky racing. But will it be enough?

Group's Appeal on Maryland Slots Gets Hearing

The Maryland Court of Appeals will hear an appeal by a citizens' group seeking to get a referendum involving slot machines in Anne Arundel County on the November ballot.

Suffolk Downs Expansion Plan Tied to Gaming

Suffolk Downs, celebrating its 75th season this year, has a vision for the future, and it's tied to expansion of gambling.

NJ Panel Gets Extension on Recommendations

A transition team analyzing racing, gaming, and entertainment in New Jersey has been granted a one-month extension in making its recommendations.

MD Group to Meet on Rejection of Slots Vote

A citizens' group will meet the evening of June 29 to discuss a court ruling that rejected a referendum on slot machines in Anne Arundel County, Md.

Big Purse Hike for Rest of Indiana Downs Meet

Indiana Downs, citing weather-related cancellations, will increase some overnight purses and state-bred supplements in open races 30% effective June 29. The meet ends July 14.

Ohio Tracks in Line for Gaming Machines?

LetOhioVote.org said June 28 it has asked the state to remove its referendum on racetrack video lottery terminals from the November ballot, possibly clearing the way for gaming at Ohio's seven racetracks.

Panel OKs Sale of Beulah Park, Thistledown

The Buckeye State welcomed two new racetrack operators June 23 as the Ohio State Racing Commission approved the sale of both Beulah Park and Thistledown, which are to be purchased by casino companies.

Rise of the Racino - By Richard Thalheimer

The number of states that permit racino gaming has grown from one in 1990 to 15 in 2010.

Read Blog

Ohio Tracks Eye Way to Force Action on VLTs

Ohio racetracks are considering a push for a 2011 ballot issue that would ask voters to repeal the casino bill recently signed by Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland.

'Lakes' Purse Cut Blamed on NYCOTB Payments

Officials and horsemen at Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack are livid over a 12% purse cut they say was necessitated by the ongoing financial difficulties of New York City Off-Track Betting Corp.

Politics Colors Breeders' Cup Announcement

When Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear and representatives of Breeders' Cup and Churchill Downs announced the track was selected to host the World Championships in 2011, the lawmaker who pushed for tax breaks wasn't on hand.

Churchill Hikes Purses, Warns of Competition

Churchill Downs announced June 8 it will raise overnight purses 10% effective June 12 for the final three weeks of its spring meet.

TRA Report Reflects Purse Revenue Trends

Revenue from alternative forms of gaming now accounts for almost one-third of total Thoroughbred purses in United States, but despite a decrease in handle, the percentage of handle that goes to purses has remained steady.

Debate Ensues Over Indiana Downs Purse Fund

When Indiana Downs didn't card a scheduled $75,000 stakes May 26 due to a shortage of entries, red flags were raised as to whether there was another reason the race wasn't run.