What do you do as a racing operator when you see your turnover drop by 25% during a five-year period? For the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the answer to that scary experience was: Connect with the customer. read blog
Some of the pioneers in television technology said yes, in presentations May 7 at the Asian Racing Conference in Hong Kong. read blog
Panels discussed a broad range of topics, fsuch as community impact, the international movement of horses, the future landscape for wagering (and regulation of wagering), and fair competition through drug control. read blog
Arlington International Racecourse may have a rare visitor from Hong Kong for this summer's Arlington Million (gr. IT) in Richard Gibson-trained Akeed Mofeed.
The latest blueprints for expanding gaming in Illinois appear to scale back dramatically on aid for the racing industry.
Sire thrives at Stillwater Equine Download Now
The plan, co-authored by Arlington Park and the Illinois Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Foundation, includes bonus money, expanded state-bred races, and promotional efforts.
A bitter dispute between harness horsemen and Chicago-area tracks, threatening the industry's crucial legislative agenda, came to a head Feb. 17 with a victory for horsemen before the Illinois Racing Board.
The Illinois Racing Board approved this year's Chicago-area Thoroughbred stakes schedule Jan. 31 despite strong opposition by horsemen to the continuation of one race.
Acting under a looming deadline, the Illinois legislature Jan. 29 reauthorized advance deposit wagering in the state, staving off a draconian cut in 2014 racing dates.
Without action during a one-day session on Jan. 29, the Illinois Racing Board will be without funding to regulate a full season of live racing and will implement a doomsday schedule.
Akeed Mofeed, the Hong Kong Derby winner in the spring, worked through a tight spot at mid-stretch to win the Longines Hong Kong Cup (HK-I) from Tokei Halo Dec. 8 at Sha Tin, while American hopeful Little Mike finished ninth.
Glorious Days, in his first start since June, came running down the middle of the track to win the Longines Hong Kong Mile (HK-I) by three-quarters of a length over Gold-Fun Dec. 8 at Sha Tin.
Japan's champion sprinter Lord Kanaloa made it two straight wins in the Longines Hong Kong Sprint (HK-I), kicking clear at the top of the stretch and drawing off to a five-length win over Irish runner Sole Power.
In the first of four group I turf races Dec, 8 at Sha Tin Racecourse, Dominant posted a surprising win for the locals, taking the Longines Hong Kong Vase (HK-I) with a big move at the top of the stretch to hold off The Fugue.
The good news is, the races have become an important fixture at the end of the racing season, attracting many of the world's best turf runners and spotlighting Hong Kong's ambitious racing program.
Jeremiah Englehart isn't exactly a newcomer to the track, having started walking hots at Finger Lakes Casino & Racetrack almost before he can remember.
The two American entries drew reasonably well for the Dec. 8 Longines Hong Kong International Races, but not without a little drama for King Kreesa in the Hong Kong Mile (HK-I).
Australian rider Kerrin McEvoy edged Hong Kong's Zac Purton in the Dec. 4 Longines International Jockeys' Competition as American veterans Gary Stevens and Mike Smith were all but shut out.
Illinois racing remained on the brink of virtual extinction as the state legislature took no action Dec. 3 on a bill that would have provided funding to run a full 2014 schedule.
The Illinois Racing Board approved four alternate schedules Sept. 24 for 2014 racing with legislative action--or inaction--left to determine which one is put into effect.
The 2014 Illinois live racing schedule likely will be trimmed back significantly as a result of revenue shortfalls, the Illinois Racing Board indicated Sept. 11.
No decision or recommendation will result from the preliminary hearing, but it will launch deliberations and clear the way for a vote a week later.
The Illinois Racing Board, over the strong objections of horsemen groups, approved an application from Maywood Park July 25 to act as its own Advance Deposit Wagering licensee.
The Illinois Racing Board June 25 formally allocated $23 million in casino money to the state's racing interests amid hopes it will bridge a financial gap until a broader gaming expansion bill is approved.
Advance deposit wagering companies were accepting wagers from Illinois residents June 7.
A major expansion of gaming in Illinois, including slot machines for tracks, was sidetracked again as lawmakers deadlocked on several key issues in the final day of their spring session.
The Illinois Racing Board on May 21 took the first, tentative step toward cutting back the state's racing schedule in light of a looming funding shortage and legislative inaction on corrective measures.
The legislation authorizes slots at the racetracks and five new casinos.
The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities should quickly consider a ban on the use of anabolic steroids for horses in training, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said April 28.
Gaming expansion, including authorization for slot machines at racetracks, appears to have been left at the starting gate once again in the Illinois General Assembly.
After months of bitter political infighting and under the looming threat of a Chicago-area mass transit meltdown, Illinois lawmakers moved close Dec. 10 to a sweeping expansion of gaming that would include authorization for slot machines at racetracks.
HorseRacing TV will present live coverage of the public memorial for the great John Henry from the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington Oct. 19, beginning at 2 p.m. (EST), the network announced Oct. 18.
Legislation to expand gaming in Illinois remains alive as the legislature nears the scheduled adjournment date for its spring session. House Speaker Michael Madigan upped the ante by announcing Wednesday, May 24, that House Democrats see gaming as the most attractive source of new revenue for the state.
Arlington Park reported a 25% increase in handle and a healthy jump in attendance for its opening weekend this year.
Illinois horse racing is mired in a "downward spiral that will require action by state government to save it," Hawthorne Race Course President Tim Carey said as his track prepared to open the 2007 Illinois Thoroughbred season Friday.
An Illinois legislator said he would propose an expansion of gambling that would include racetrack slot machines.
Add the Illinois Racing Board to the list of those who have no idea what caused the recent spate of fatal breakdowns at Arlington Park Racecourse.
Add the Illinois Racing Board to the list of those who have little idea what has caused the recent spate of fatal breakdowns of horses at Arlington Park Racecourse.
Some $35 million a year in subsidies promised to the Illinois racing industry in recently passed legislation appears headed for court rather than the tracks. The situation threatens to become a replay of events that derailed an even bigger subsidy approved seven years ago.
The Illinois General Assembly has approved and sent to Gov. Rod Blagojevich legislation that would provide as much as $35 million a year in subsidies for Illinois racing--but only for two years.
With time running out in the spring session, legislation that would divert more than $50 million a year from Illinois riverboat casinos to the horse racing industry has stalled in the state House of Representatives.
Hawthorne Race Course Tuesday announced a shakeup in management, with one member of the Carey family replacing another at the helm.
The Jan. 2 closing-day Thoroughbred program at Hawthorne Race Course may be the last live racing action of any kind in the Chicago area for a while. A dispute over purses has resulted in cancellation of harness racing at Balmoral Park and Maywood Park on the first two days of the New Year.
Just days after the Illinois Gaming Board revoked the license of Emerald Casino, one-time rival communities once again are preparing to join a prolonged battle for the lucrative riverboat license.
The Illinois Gaming Board voted unanimously Tuesday to revoke the license of Emerald Casino -- the proposed riverboat gaming palace that once was expected to generate millions of dollars a year to support the state's racing industry.
A proposal by Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan to ban riverboat gambling in Illinois has been dry-docked in the state Senate.
Morton Grove, Illinois, a Chicago suburb once considered as the site of an off-track betting parlor, has modified its zoning laws to preclude any future incursions by wagering interests.
The Jockeys' Guild got a lot of sympathy but no immediate action from the Illinois Racing Board Tuesday on the issues of medical insurance and the scale of weights.
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, after long opposition, has opened the door to the expansion of gaming. But his education-funding proposal doesn't specifically include the new casinos and support for racetracks that would make it politically viable in the state House and Senate.
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