Youbet.com reduced its net loss for the first quarter of the year by 31% to $2.4 million, or 12 cents per share. During the same period a year ago, the company reported a net loss of $3.4 million, or 17 cents per share. The online horse racing and wagering service also gained 1,400 new subscribers between Jan. 1 and March 31.
Keeneland has received Kentucky Racing Commission approval to open a day earlier this fall to accommodate stakes that serve as preps for the Breeders' Cup. The Lexington track will open Friday, Oct. 5, instead of Saturday, Oct. 6.
A long New York winter is being blamed for a decreases in attendance, on-track handle, and average daily total handle for Aqueduct's winter/spring meet.
<i><a href="viewstory.asp?id=4351">Continued from part 1</a></i>
Crimson Saint, who developed into a treasure trove for Central Kentucky horseman Tom Gentry, died May 12 at John Willard's Offutt-Cole Farm near Midway, Ky., where she had spent the last six years of her retirement. Crimson Saint was owned by Gentry's son, Olin. Crimson Saint produced Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) winner and successful stallion Royal Academy, plus grade II winners Terlingua and Pancho Villa and restricted stakes winner Alydariel. Crimson Saint's descendants also include leading sire Storm Cat. Overall, Gentry sold 10 of Crimson Saint's offspring as yearlings for a total of $17,775,000.
Enjoy today's action while you can. There won't be much more happening from a training standpoint from now on, as trainers will spend the remainder of the week using words like "maintain" and "preparation." With Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos sticking to a galloping program, today's works by Point Given and Congaree at Churchill Downs and A P Valentine at Pimlico were to be very revealing, as an indicator how these horses bounced out of the Derby.
Geri McGuire, a son of freshman sire Geri, and Lit de Hushi, a daughter of Lit de Justice, both worked an eighth-mile in 9.9 seconds on May 11 during the under tack show for the May 15 Barretts May sale of two-year-olds in training.
Bills that would allow New York to join the National Racing Compact are moving through the legislature. New York would become the ninth member of the compact, which facilitates licensing for owners, trainers, jockeys, and harness drivers.
The Republic of Ireland has lifted its prohibition on British horses that travel there in a move that should help both the breeding and racing industries. It appears British horses, previously restricted because of the foot-and-mouth outbreak, will be able to compete in the Irish One Thousand (Ire-I) and Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-I) at the Curragh May 26-27.
An attorney for the California Horse Racing Board has recommended a six-month suspension and $10,000 fine for trainer Bob Baffert, who had a horse test positive for morphine last year. The positive urine sample came from Nautical Look, the winner of an allowance race at Hollywood Park May 3, 2000.
Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos galloped at Pimlico Racecourse Monday morning as he continues preparations for Saturday's Preakness Stakes, second leg of the Triple Crown. Also at Pimlico Monday, A P Valentine worked five furlongs. At Churchill Downs, trainer Bob Baffert worked his two Preakness candidates, Point Given and Congaree, and Dallas Stewart reported Dollar Bill is on track after his workout.
Grade II winner Pulpit was represented by his first winner when his daughter Bema won a five-furlong race on May 13 at Churchill Downs by 5 1/2 lengths in :58.12.
