Proctor's Ledge Makes Splash in Lake George
After earning a pair of graded stakes placings earlier this season, Proctor's Ledge didn't let another opportunity pass her by July 21 at Saratoga Race Course.
Frank Angst
Biancone Moves Closer to Kentucky Reinstatement
Trainer Patrick Biancone, who has not had a license in Kentucky since 2007 following the discovery of cobra venom in his Keeneland barn, moved a step closer to being allowed to saddle a horse for racing in Kentucky July 19.
Twisted Tom Favored in New York Derby
In his first start since a well-beaten sixth in the Belmont Stakes (G1), New York-bred Twisted Tom will pick up some class relief when he faces an expected six other state-breds in the $150,000 New York Derby July 22 at Finger Lakes.
Retired Trainer Corbellini Dies at Age 84
Bill Corbellini, who piled up wins in New York and Florida as a successful claiming trainer from the late 1960s through the early 1980s, died July 12 at the age of 84 in Dallas.
Plenty of Action to Start Saratoga Meet
The opening weekend of the all-important race meet begins with five graded stakes, including opening day co-features of the Schuylerville Stakes (G3) for 2-year-old fillies and the Lake George Stakes (G3T) for 3-year-old fillies on turf.
Recent Hialeah Park Meet Sends Wrong Chills
This year Hialeah offered a much different race meet, racing not recognized by the AQHA or reported by Equibase. For many, this meet created chills of concern as Hialeah rolled out a series of races to meet its minimum state racing requirements.
Trainer Biancone Seeks License in Kentucky
Patrick Biancone is seeking to have his training license reinstated in Kentucky, where the conditioner has not saddled a horse since losing his license following a 2007 discovery of cobra venom and other substances in his Keeneland barn.
Oceanside Stakes Will Get Del Mar Meet Rolling
In the time between races of Del Mar's 10-race opening day card July 19, fans and horsemen figure to give some thought to the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will be contested at the seaside Southern California track this fall.
Underfunded Budget Moves Forward in Pennsylvania
Industry groups in Pennsylvania will stay vigilant after Governor Tom Wolf on July 10 allowed an underfunded budget to become law without his signature.
Frostmourne to Stretch Out in Kent Stakes
Frostmourne will stretch out to 1 1/8 miles for the first time when he again faces other 3-year-olds on the turf in the $200,000 Kent Stakes (G3T) July 15 at Delaware Park.
Songbird Gives Porter Another Crack at Del Cap
For owner Rick Porter, a victory in the $750,000 Delaware Handicap (G1) would mean a lot as the big race at his local track. On July 15 he will send out two-time champion Songbird in an effort to land the $750,000 race for fillies and mares.
Lo Duca to Join NYRA's Saratoga Live Broadcast Team
The New York Racing Association July 10 announced the hiring of veteran horse racing analyst and Major League Baseball All-Star Paul Lo Duca.
NYRA Bets Pick 5: Smaller Pool, Bigger Value
It didn't take long for value-conscious horseplayers to see the benefits of the NYRA Bets Pick 5 rolled out July 4 for players at the advance-deposit wagering site, as well as on-track and in-state players
Pure Sensation Back for Parx Dash
Patricia Generazio homebred Pure Sensation will try to secure a third graded stakes win in as many Parx starts and defend his title in the $200,000 Parx Dash Stakes (G3T) June 8. The five-furlong turf sprint has attracted a dozen entries.
Handle Improves During 2017 Classic Season
In terms of handle, United States horse racing enjoyed a steady second quarter, an important metric as it includes the three Triple Crown races.
Storm Damages Barns at Charles Town
High winds damaged three barns at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races the evening of July 5, but no horses or humans were injured and the track expects to not miss any race dates.
Following Rojas Verdict, Penn National Ejects Trainers
Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course has banned Murray Rojas, her husband Eduardo Rojas, and trainer Stephanie Beattie from entering horses at the Grantville, Pa., track.
Arrogate Powering Baffert, Smith to Earnings Heights
While Arrogate is fueling the massive earnings of Baffert and Smith, they have teamed to win grade 1 races this year with Abel Tasman and Mor Spirit. Smith also rides champion Songbird; Baffert has multiple graded stakes winner Vale Dori.
Jury Reaches Split Decision on Trainer Rojas
A jury found trainer Murray Rojas guilty of 14 counts related to misbranding of animal drugs but determined that Rojas was not guilty of seven charges of wire fraud.
Another Year, Another Record Day at Woodbine
Woodbine Entertainment reports a third straight year of record Queen's Plate handle as the 13-race card July 2 at Woodbine saw handle of $13,560,678.
Several Tracks Reach Deals With Contest Site Derby Wars
Horse racing contest site DerbyWars.com announced June 30 it had reached partnership agreements with several tracks and racing associations that will allow the site to use those racing signals as part of its handicapping contests.
Ben's Cat Settles Into New Kentucky Home
Chris Welker spent the morning sitting under a tree in a paddock watching Ben's Cat settle into his new home on a breezy June 29 at Spring Ridge Farm near Versailles, Ky. She considered pinching herself, but didn't want to spoil the tranquility.
Obituary: Jack Arterburn Spent Life in Racing
Jack Arterburn, a retired Northern California-based trainer who initially competed as a jockey for nearly 30 years, died May 31 at his home in Woodside, Calif.
Supreme Court to Consider N.J. Sports Gambling Case
On June 27 New Jersey found out its sports gambling case will be heard by the Supreme Court, which should provide the final word on a significant legal challenge to the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992.
After 26 Stakes Wins, Fan Favorite Ben's Cat Retired
For King Leatherbury, the final stakes win of Ben's Cat will always be the memory that's front and center; the day Ben's Cat seemingly did the impossible.
Industry Groups Ask for Change in Parx Oaks Ruling
- By Frank Angst
- Thoroughbred Racing, Horse Health, Mid-Atlantic Region, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association
Raising concerns about the sport's integrity and potential long-term impact on future assessments by breeders and buyers, major industry groups are requesting the Pennsylvania regulator change its decision to recognize two winners of the Parx Oaks.
Another Round at Belmont Park for T Loves a Fight
New York-bred 3-year-olds will be in the spotlight June 25 at Belmont Park in a pair of $100,000 New York Stallion Stakes contested at seven furlongs on turf.
Kentucky Downs Approved to Add Jockey Wager
Kentucky Downs will offer wagers this year based on how jockeys perform in the final seven races on the card and that betting will benefit injured riders.
Churchill Plans to Add Historical Racing at Trackside
Churchill Downs racetrack plans to add a $50-$60 million historical racing venue at its nearby Trackside training track property, and Churchill Downs Inc. plans to produce those historical racing machines.
Lady Aurelia Overpowers Males in King's Stand
Taking on older males for the first time proved to be no problem for Lady Aurelia as the 3-year-old daughter of Scat Daddy scored by three lengths in the King's Stand Stakes (G1) June 20 at Royal Ascot.
Gun Runner Powers to Easy Stephen Foster Win
In his first start since finishing second in the March 25 Dubai World Cup (G1), Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm's Gun Runner drew off in the stretch for an easy victory in the Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) June 17 at Churchill Downs.
Kasaqui Ends Six-Race Skid With Decisive Wise Dan Score
Unleashing a sustained rally entering the far turn, Kasaqui (ARG) carried that momentum to the finish to post a 2 3/4-length victory in the $200,000 Wise Dan Stakes (G2T) June 17 on the turf at Churchill Downs.
Swagger Strike First Winner for Sire Swagger Jack
Swagger Jack, a grade 1-winning son of two-time leading sire Smart Strike, saw his first winner June 11 when Swagger Strike drew off to a 2 3/4-length victory in the fifth race at Camarero Race Track.
DerbyWars to Pay at Least $500,000 to Stronach Tracks
In a court-approved settlement, the operator of the handicapping contest site DerbyWars will pay at least $500,000 to tracks owned by The Stronach Group, which filed suit in December of 2015.
I'm Corfu First Winner for Freshman Sire Corfu
Florida-based freshman sire Corfu picked up his first winner June 13 when I'm Corfu delivered a front-running victory in a five-furlong race June 13 on the all-weather track at Presque Isle Downs.
Horseman Anderson Registers 1,000th Training Win
Horseman Bruce D. Anderson secured the 1,000th training win of his career June 12 when his homebred Sisters for Ever rallied from last in a field of eight to win the sixth race at Finger Lakes racetrack.
Belmont First Triple Crown Race Simulcast in Japan
While the scratch of Epicharis (JPN) impacted the amount of money wagered, the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1) June 10 at Belmont Park still became the first United States classic simulcast into Japan.
Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Handle Increases
Total handle for the Belmont Stakes day card June 10 at Belmont Park was down 5.8% to $93,666,832 although handle for the three-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival increased 1.6% to $124,740,193.
Ascend Shocks Manhattan Rivals in Graded Stakes Debut
In his graded stakes debut off back-to-back wins, Ascend proved up to the class upgrade when he scored a clear victory in the $1 million Woodford Reserve Manhattan Stakes (G1T) June 10 at Belmont Park.
Disco Partner Wins Jaipur in World Record Time
For a second straight year a Patricia Generazio homebred not only won the Jaipur (G3T) but set a course and North American record in the process when Disco Partner rallied to a half-length victory in the turf sprint June 10 at Belmont Park.
Strong Card Awaits Fans at Belmont Park
With the first two classic winners of 2017 skipping the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1) and a pair of hopefuls not making the race, the big-event approach to the day by the New York Racing Association could prove key June 10.
Belmont Stakes Simulcast Into Japan Still in Place
Despite the scratch of Japan-based Epicharis from the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1) the morning of June 10, the Japan Racing Association will still accept the simulcast signal of the 1 1/2-mile classic.
By the Moon Repeats in Bed o’ Roses
While By the Moon's running style changed a bit, the outcome proved the same as she delivered a second straight victory in the $250,000 Bed o' Roses Invitational Stakes (G3) June 9 at Belmont Park.
Pletcher Aims for Second 2017 Classic Win
After capturing the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) with Always Dreaming, trainer Todd Pletcher will try to close out the Triple Crown season with another classic victory when he sends out Tapwrit and Patch in the Belmont Stakes.
NYRA Revises Pick 6 Carryover to $47,812
Calling it a matter of fairness to horseplayers, the New York Racing Association increased its carryover pool for the June 9 Pick 6 after receiving permission from the New York State Gaming Commission early that morning to make the revision.
Generazio Homebreds Back for Another Jaipur
After grabbing the top two positions in last year's Jaipur Invitational Stakes (G3T), Patricia Generazio homebreds Pure Sensation and Disco Partner are back for another edition of the turf sprint June 10 at Belmont Park.
Another Classic, Another Shot for Lookin At Lee
Lookin At Lee will not be carrying a lunch pail during the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1) June 10 at Belmont Park, but trainer Steve Asmussen knows his horse will bring that mental approach to the 1 1/2-mile classic.
Kentucky Oaks Winner Abel Tasman Cuts Back in Acorn
Abel Tasman will cut back in distance when the daughter of Quality Road tries the one-turn mile of the Acorn Stakes (G1) June 10 at Belmont Park.
Mack Hopes Phipps Award Inspires Future Racing Leaders
Earle Mack envisions a new award that honors his late friend Ogden Mills "Dinny" Phipps as both an honor and a challenge.
NYRA Now App Puts Customers in Control
Customers looking for customization of their racing experience should find a useful tool in the new NYRA Now app, which not only provides access to all things New York Racing Association but lets the user determine the experience.
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