Tygart: Parallels Between Olympics, Racing
The CEO of the United States Anti-Doping Agency says there are parallels between issues facing the U.S. horse industry and the Olympics when it comes to ensuring the integrity of those sports.
Ron Mitchell
Ron Mitchell is the Online Editor for www.bloodhorse.com
Keeneland Applies for Historical Racing
The number of historical race gaming machines in operation at Kentucky racetracks would increase substantially if the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission approves requests from Keeneland Racecourse and The Red Mile.
Bond Holder Being Treated for Laminitis
Trainer Doug O'Neill said March 19 that Reddam Racing Stable's Bond Holder is being treated at the Equine Medical Center of Ocala for the effects of laminitis.
Effort to Resolve Virginia Dates Fails Again
A two-hour meeting March 12 between the Virginia Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, representatives of Colonial Downs, and an arbitrator failed to yield an agreement over 2014 racing dates in Virginia.
First OBS Under Tack Show Moved Back a Day
Due to inclement weather forecast for the Ocala, Fla., area, the first session of the under tack show for the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March 2-year-olds in training sale has been rescheduled for Friday, March 7.
U.S. Racing Impacted by Weather in February
A 5.07% decline in race days due to weather-related cancellations resulted in a 4.09% decrease in total wagering on U.S. races in February.
O'Neill: Derby Still Possible for Bond Holder
Although Bond Holder will not make an expected start in the Tampa Bay Derby due to a lingering foot abscess, trainer Doug O'Neill said the colt could still make the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby.
Podcast: Doug O'Neill and Bond Holder
Trainer Doug O'Neill talks with Ron Mitchell about Reddam Racing's Bond Holder.
No Tampa Bay Derby for Bond Holder
Bond Holder, a leading early contender for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), will not make an expected start in the March 8 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II) and his next race is undetermined.
Promotional Allowances Soar at CDI Properties
Churchill Downs Inc. reported that the retail value of "promotional allowances"--complimentary goods and services offered customers--totaled $33 million in 2013, up from $21.5 million the previous year.
KY Gaming Effort Gets Social Media Boost
Executives with Churchill Downs Inc. said Feb. 27 they are still actively pursuing casino gaming legislation and that their efforts are getting a boost from social media.
Derby and Oaks Bright Spots for Churchill
Once again, the success of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands and Longines Kentucky Oaks were the rare brights spots within the racing sector when Churchill Downs Inc. reported record revenues for 2013.
Ellis Changing Historical Racing Operations
Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky., is seeking to make changes in its historical racing operations, including removal of 50 terminals that will be sent to Kentucky Downs in Franklin.
2014 Virginia Racing Dates Still Unresolved
The 2014 racing schedule for Colonial Downs remains in limbo due to a contract stalemate over dates between track management and the Virginia Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.
Multiple Grade I Winner Urbane Dies at Age 22
Urbane, the Siegel family's multiple grade I winner and top producer, died early Feb. 25 at Mill Ridge Farm in Lexington after giving birth the previous night to an Into Mischief filly.
Podcast: Jack Wolf and Intense Holiday
Ron Mitchell talks with Jack Wolf of Starlight Racing about Starlight's Kentucky Derby contender Intense Holiday. Jack also discusses Harlan's Holiday and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.
Veteran Strapping Groom Tops Tom Fool
Veteran campaigner Strapping Groom, winner of the Forego Stakes (gr. I) over a muddy track last year, has been installed the 7-5 morning line choice in the field of seven drawn for the March 1 Tom Fool Handicap (gr. III).
Ramseys' Major Marvel to Run in Barbados
The Barbados Turf Club said Ken and Sarah Ramsey's multiple stakes winner Major Marvel has been added to the list of nominees for the 33rd renewal of the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup.
Fordubai Faces Tough Test in Mineshaft
Fordubai, winner of the Louisiana Handicap at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots last month, returns to the same 1 1/16-mile distance at the track but will be facing stiffer company in the Feb. 22 Mineshaft Handicap (gr. III).
List of Live Racing Cancellations for Feb. 15
Snow, ice and cold temperatures continue to impact U.S. racetracks, with at least five cancellations of live racing for Saturday, Feb. 15.
KY Supreme Court Will Not Review Stewart Case
The Kentucky Supreme Court has declined to review a Court of Appeals decision overturning Dr. Rod Stewart's four-year suspension for possession of cobra venom and other substances.
Podcast: Larry Collmus
Larry Collmus reacts to his new position as Churchill Downs announcer, and talks about calling the Kentucky Derby.
Weather Plays Havoc With Racing Calendar
The harsh winter of 2014 continues to take its toll on U.S. racing, leading to a handful of cancellations at tracks in Kentucky, the Mid-Atlantic, and the Northeast as a result of a winter storm or subfreezing temperatures.
F-T Sale Concludes With Solid Numbers
Led by the $360,000 paid by Gainesway for the 7-year-old mare Hidden Expression, Fasig-Tipton concluded its winter mixed sale Feb. 10 on a solid note, despite the formidable wintery conditions during the two-day sale.
F-T Sale Shows Consignors, Buyers Resilient
Sub-freezing temperatures plus several inches of fresh snow daily does not lend itself to the most pleasant conditions for a horse sale.
Hidden Expression Brings $360,000 at F-T
Hidden Expression, a 7-year-old stakes-winning daughter of Yonaguska, was purchased by Gainesway for $360,000 to top the early portion of the Fasig-Tipton winter mixed sale's second session Feb. 10.
Devious Intent Tops F-T Winter Sale Session
Devious Intent, who defeated multiple champion Groupie Doll last summer, brought a price of $350,000 from Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings to top the Feb. 9 opening session of the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky winter mixed sale.
Breeders' Cup Winner Chriselliam Euthanized
Chriselliam, winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IT) and a finalist for an Eclipse Award, was euthanized Feb. 7 in Newmarket, England, as a result of a foot infection, according to Racing Post.
Podcast: John Asher and the Kentucky Derby
Ron Mitchell talks with Churchill Down's John Asher about the 2014 Kentucky Derby.
Wild Dude Posts Palos Verdes Upset
Wild Dude scored his first stakes triumph Feb. 2 when the 4-year-old colt took advantage of a duel by the frontrunners to win the $200,000 Palos Verdes Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park.
Sunbean Shines in Premier Night Championship
Brittlyn Stable's homebred Sunbean used a quick turn of foot turning for home and went on to win the $200,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship Feb. 1 at Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel in stakes record time.
Fashion Plate Wire-to-Wire in Las Virgenes
After getting a quick jump out of the gate, Fashion Plate went wire-to-wire and held off tenacious even-money favorite Streaming for a game victory in the Las Virgenes Stakes (gr. I) Feb. 1 at Santa Anita Park.
Vinceremos Upsets Stablemate in Sam F. Davis
Todd Pletcher-trained Vinceremos dug in gamely in deep stretch to hold off a stiff challenge from his more highly regarded stablemate Harpoon to win the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) at Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 1.
Early Triple Crown Nominations Soar to 413
Led by a record 42 nominees from Todd Pletcher's barn, 413 3-year-olds were nominated to the 2014 Triple Crown series during the early nomination period, which closed Jan. 25.
First Foal for Derby Winner I'll Have Another
The first reported foal for Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner I'll Have Another was a filly born Jan. 18 at Big Red Farm in Hokkaido, Japan.
Shared Belief Defies History to Win Eclipse
Undefeated Shared Belief became the rare non-Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) winner to be awarded an Eclipse Award in the division when the 2-year-old Candy Rode gelding rode late season success to top the balloting.
Groupie Doll Champion Female Sprinter
Groupie Doll's impressive Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (gr. I) win was sufficient to earn her a second Eclipse Award as champion female sprinter.
Groupie Doll Tops Female Sprint Category
Groupie Doll, Mizdirection, and Dance to Bristol are finalists for the Eclipse Award as Outstanding Female Sprinter for 2013, the same category for which Groupie Doll took home the statuette last year.
Wagering Declines Lead to Fair Grounds Cuts
Citing an overall decline in wagering, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has canceled four stakes and cut purses for a dozen others, including the Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II), which went from $500,000 to $400,000.
Mucho Macho Man's Dam Tops at Keeneland
Ponche de Leona, the dam of 2013 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Mucho Macho Man, was purchased by Brushwood Stable for $775,000 to become the new sale-topper at the Keeneland January horses of all ages sale.
Flotilla's Half Sister Sells for $425,000
Louvakhova, a stakes-winning daughter of Maria's Mon, was purchased by Glen Hill Farm for $425,000 during the Jan. 6 first session of the Keeneland January horses of all ages sale.
Vyjack's Dam Sells for $750,000 at Keeneland
Life Happened, the dam of grade II winner Vyjack, was purchased by Solis/Litt for $750,000 as the top-priced offering early during the Jan. 6 first session of the Keeneland January horses of all ages sale.
New Year's Day Retired Due to Injury
New Year's Day, who upset favored Havana in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), has been retired after sustaining an injury and will enter stud at Hill 'n' Dale Farms in Lexington.
Twilight Eclipse Seeks Second McKnight Win
West Point Thoroughbreds' world-record holder Twilight Eclipse tops a field of older horses as he defends his title in the Dec. 28 W.L. McKnight Handicap (gr. IIT) at Calder Casino & Race Course.
Podcast: Eclipse Awards 2013: Top 2-Year-Olds
- By Ron Mitchell
Steve Haskin discusses the Eclipse Awards for the 2-year-old divisions.
Trainer Harvey Vanier Dies at Age 89
Trainer Harvey Vanier, a mainstay at Illinois and Kentucky tracks for more than 60 years, died Dec. 1 in Versailles, Ky., at age 89.
Tepin Posts Mild Delta Princess Surprise
Robert Masterson's Tepin picked an opportune moment for her first stakes score, as the 2-year-old filly ran down favorite Badnah for a facile victory in the $500,000 Delta Princess Stakes (gr. III) at Delta Downs Nov. 23.
Baffert Says 'Dude on Track for Clark
Trainer Bob Baffert reported Game On Dude is on schedule for the grade I Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare at Churchill Downs Nov. 29. Only an unfavorable weight assignment would derail the gelding from starting.
ADW Extension Agreement Reached in Illinois
Illinois horsemen and representatives of the state's racetracks and Advance Deposit Wagering providers have reached agreement on an extension of ADW for three years.
Ramseys Drop Effort to Have Claim Voided
Ken Ramsey, who along with his wife Sarah operate the most successful racing stable in North America this year, says the couple is dropping efforts to have a claim of one of their horses voided.
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