Dynamic Impact Nabs 'Hawk in Illinois Derby
Dynamic Impact continued trainer Mark Casse's big spring April 19, edging 2-5 favorite Midnight Hawk by the narrowest of noses in the $500,000 Illinois Derby (gr. II) at Hawthorne Race Course.
Midwest Region
News and features for Midwestern farm owners, racehorse owners, and breeders
Flashy American Flies to Sixty Sails Score
Favored Flashy American wore down pacesetter Sonja's Angel in deep stretch to register her first graded stakes win in the $150,000 Sixty Sails Handicap (gr. III) April 19 at Hawthorne Racecourse.
Indiana Grand Racing & Casino Begins New Era
Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, formerly Indiana Downs, is stepping into a new light in the horse racing industry beginning May 6 for a 120-day Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse meet.
Oaklawn Posts Double-Digit Handle Gains
Oaklawn Park recorded double-digit increases in total handle, average daily handle, and average daily purse distribution during the 51-day meet that ended April 12.
Strait of Mewsina Sires First Foal
Grade III-winning Indiana-based stallion Strait of Mewsina sired his foal when a filly was born April 17.
Rampart Winner Gamay Noir Heads Sixty Sails
Gamay Noir, who snapped a five-race losing streak when she captured the Rampart Stakes (gr. III), tops a field of eight fillies and mares that will go to the post in Hawthorne's Sixty Sails Handicap (gr. III) April 19.
Illinois Gaming Plans Would Slice Racing Aid
The latest blueprints for expanding gaming in Illinois appear to scale back dramatically on aid for the racing industry.
Midnight Hawk Brings Illinois Derby Intrigue
Given the colt's Chicago connections, it's not surprising Bob Baffert would send Midnight Hawk to the April 19 Illinois Derby at Hawthorne. As for his plans from there on out, you'll have to read between the lines.
Flattering Bea Needs Hot Sugar Maple Pace
James Arrison's homebred Flattering Bea, a stakes winner locally, will hope for a quick early pace when she faces nine other fillies and mares in the $200,000 Sugar Maple Stakes at at Charles Town April 19.
Santiva Moves to Swifty Farms in Indiana
Santiva, a grade II-winning son of Giant's Causeway, has moved from Gerry and Dana Aschinger's War Horse Place near Lexington to Dana Myers' Swifty Farms near Seymour, Ind.
Regional: Kela Keeps Minnesota Breeding Sound
Sire thrives at Stillwater Equine Download Now
Anderson Seeks Sweet Victory With Sugar Shock
Iowa-based trainer Doug Anderson isn't a well-known name in the Thoroughbred horse racing game. But when his filly Sugar Shock contests the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), things may change for the small-time conditioner.
Trainer Silvera Notches Career Win 1,000
Veteran Woodbine-based trainer Laurie Silvera secured the 1,000th victory of his career Sunday, April 13 when 8-5 favorite Sorry About That drew off in the stretch for a three-length score in an optional claiming race.
Arlington Adds Gabby Gaudet to Broadcast Team
Gabby Gaudet has been added to the 2014 broadcast team at Arlington International Racecourse, the track announced April 11.
Xpressbet to Sponsor Illinois Derby
Advance deposit wagering provider Xpressbet will be the sponsor of the Illinois Derby, set to run April 19 at Hawthorne Race Course.
Sutherland-Kruse Returns to Woodbine in 2014
Chantal Sutherland-Kruse will make her return to Woodbine with four mounts April 12 as the curtain lifts on the Canadian track's 2014 meet.
Woodbine Commences 2014 Season Saturday
The 2014 Canadian live Thoroughbred racing season will kick off April 12 at Woodbine with the first of 133 programs scheduled for the year.
OH Breeders Told to Upgrade Mares, Stallions
Ohio Thoroughbred breeders were told April 5 that supporting stallions based in the state should be a big part of the equation in the new environment of racetrack gaming.
ThistleDown Opening Day Set for April 18
The trainers are exercising their horses and ThistleDown is putting the finishing touches on the apron as the opening of the 2014 racing season draws near. Opening day is set for April 18.
Casse Optimistic About Derby Prep Starters
While Coastline and Conquest Titan have not yet registered breakthrough graded stakes victories, trainer Mark Casse sees some positive signs as they prepare for their most important stakes races to date.
Graded Winner Birdrun Retired to Poplar Creek
Grade II winner Birdrun has been retired from racing to stand at Robin Murphy's Poplar Creek Horse Farm near Bethel, Ohio. His fee is $2,000.
Two Ohio Tracks to Get 10.5% of VLT Revenue
Two Ohio racetracks will pay 10.5% of video lottery terminal revenue to purses, an official with the state's racing and breeding programs said April 5.
New Ohio Track Granted 2014 Racing Permit
Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course received a racing permit from the Ohio State Racing Commission March 27 and plans to offer 21 days of Thoroughbred racing this fall.
Upcoming Kentucky Derby Preps to Air on NBCSN
- By Blood-Horse Staff
- Racing, Triple Crown, Northeast Region, Midwest Region, Southeast Region, Southwest Region, West Region, Kentucky, Mid-Atlantic
NBCSN will cover four elite Thoroughbred prep races over the next two weekends leading into NBC Sports Group's exclusive coverage of the Triple Crown races, it was announced March 26.
Arazi Breeder Wilson Dead at 95
Ralph Wilson Jr., who bred the spectacular winner of the 1991 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) Arazi, has died at age 95. Wilson also campaigned Jim French and West Coast Scout.
Prairie Meadows Opposes Proposed Casino
Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino is opposing a proposed casino in Jefferson, Iowa, that it estimates would reduce its gaming revenue by nearly $13 million.
We Miss Artie Tops Queen's Plate Winterbook
We Miss Artie, currently on the Triple Crown trail for trainer Todd Pletcher, was installed the 4-1 favorite Winterbook favorite for the 155th edition of the Queen's Plate, it was announced March 20.
What Now Moves to R Star Stallions
What Now, a half brother to 2013 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Oxbow, has moved to R Star Stallions at RichWine Farm near Anderson, Ind., where his 2014 fee is $500.
Golden Lad Pulls Away for Razorback Romp
Golden Lad struck for a fourth consecutive win March 15 after taking charge at the quarter pole at Oaklawn Park and drawing off to an open-length victory in the $200,000 Razorback Handicap (gr. III).
ThistleDown Racino Meet to Begin April 18
With purses boosted by added gaming, ThistleDown Racino will open its 2014 racing season April 18 when the North Randall, Ohio track offers its 90th season of racing.
Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Region: A New Heritage
Drs. Bowman, Louis Merryman offer new stallion operation in Maryland. Download Now
Midwest/Canada Regional: Fine Vintage
Stallion business growing at Leigh Ann and Kerry Hopper's RichWine Farm. read blog
Ohio Tracks, Horsemen Sign 10-Year Deals
The Ohio Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association has signed 10-year racing agreements with the under-construction Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course and ThistleDown Racino, formerly known as Thistledown.
Euphrosyne Elevated to Honeybee Victory
Euphrosyne was awarded the win in the $150,000 Honeybee Stakes (gr. III) March 8 after first-place finisher Sugar Shock was disqualified for interference in the Oaklawn Park stretch.
Expanded State-Bred Incentives at Arlington
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.
Indiana Downs Has New Name as Part of Rebrand
Indiana Downs, which will begin its lengthy live Thoroughbred racing season May 6, has a new name to coincide with its casino offerings.
Barbaro's Brother Lentenor Sires First Foal
Lentenor, a stakes-winning full brother to Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Barbaro, sired his first foal when a colt was born Feb. 20 at Calumet Farms near Lexington.
Will Take Charge Fires Bullet at Oaklawn
Will Take Charge breezed a bullet half-mile March 2 at Oaklawn Park in his final local workout ahead of a tantalizing showdown with Mucho Macho Man and Game On Dude in the March 8 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I).
Mountaineer Opens Meet With Steady Purses
Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort will kick off its 210-day season March 1 with average daily overnight purses of about $115,000, a figure on par with 2013.
PNGI, Horsemen Have Agreement on Ohio Track
Penn National Gaming Inc. and the Ohio Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association have reached an agreement in regard to the under-construction Youngstown-area racetrack that will replace Beulah Park.
Woodbine Adds Bonus to Ontario-Sired Program
Woodbine Entertainment Group and the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association Feb. 27 jointly announced restructuring of the Ontario-sired Thoroughbred racing overnight program at Woodbine.
Charles Town Cancels Feb. 27 Night Program
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has canceled its live racing program scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 27, due to the expected harsh weather conditions.
KY Instant Racing Handle Nears $600 Million
If the monthly average holds, total wagering on historical races in Kentucky will top $600 million by the end of February. The devices have been operating in the state for 29 months.
Doneraile Court Moves to Dove Hill Farm
Dual graded stakes winner Doneraile Court (Seattle Slew -- Sophisticated Girl, by Stop the Music) has moved to Lisa Duoos' Dove Hill Farm near New Prague, Minn., for the 2014 season.
Fair Grounds Cuts Overnight Purses 10%
Overnight purses at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots have been reduced 10% for the rest of the current race meet, track officials said Feb. 20.
Hawthorne Spring Meet to Begin Feb. 21
Hawthorne Race Course's spring meet begins Friday, Feb. 21. Sixty-nine horses are entered for the opening day card at the Stickney, Ill., track.
Like Snow and Ice, Cancellations Piling Up
Harsh winter weather and and poor track conditions have led to the cancellation of almost 70 full racing programs through the first seven weeks of 2014.
Dispute Threatens Illinois Legislative Agenda
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.
EHV-1 Positive Leads to Quarantine at Parx
Just weeks after a lengthy quarantine ended, Parx Racing in Pennsylvania has locked down two more barns because of a positive test for equine herpesvirus.
Turfway, Horsemen Play Weather Waiting Game
Turfway Park expects much warmer temperatures the week of Feb. 16 that will allow proper maintenance of its Polytrack surface and a return to live racing Feb. 21.
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