Churchill Downs as hired a vice president of sales who will oversee all sponsorship efforts for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks, as well as sales initiatives at all racetracks owned by Churchill Downs Inc.
Despite rumors that racing dates may be cut, it appears as though Kentucky's January-through-December Thoroughbred racing schedule will remain intact for 2002.
For the fourth time since Jan. 1, the Massachusetts legislature has passed an extension to current racing law while a new bill is being ironed out. The latest extension will ensure that simulcasting continues for 45 days through Sept. 30.
Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Spend a Buck, who has achieved remarkable success with his South American runners, has been sold to Brazilian breeders and will take up stallion duty at Haras Bage do Sul.
Augustin Stable's homebred With Anticipation wires the grade I Sword Dancer Handicap.
The front-running Western Pride pulls off a 21-1 upset of the $500,000 West Virginia Derby.
Trainer Aidan O'Brien continues his winning ways, scoring two more group I victories.
El Corredor's return is a winning one in the seven-furlong Pat O'Brien Handicap.
Leonard Leveen will never forget what his trainer said to him a decade ago when he wanted sell one of his racing fillies.<br>"I raced a mare and when she retired, I wanted to sell her. But my trainer said I wouldn't get a ham sandwich for her."
Seven colts are scheduled to head postward Wednesday in the grade II Saratoga Special. Lunar Bounty, who is undefeated in two starts, is the 2-1 morning line favorite.
<i>By Paul Deblinger</i> -- The biggest disconnect in racing is the failure of the NTRA and the tracks to do anything for regular customers, or to identify new sources of customers.
<i>By Ray Paulick</i> -- The three nights of horse trading that took place at the Saratoga yearling sale were electrifying.
California Gov. Gray Davis signed Assembly Bill 471 into law on Aug. 13, authorizing advance deposit wagering and including provisions that will allow backstretch workers to organize for collective bargaining purposes.
Seven horses sold for more than $100,000 during Monday's opening session of the two-day Del Mar yearling sale. Last year, five horses sold in this price range for the entire sale. The average price for the first session was $52,918, far above the sale's record average price of $36,798 set in 1999.
