Live Streaming for Jockey Club Round Table
For the first time, The Jockey Club will provide live video streaming of the Aug. 22 Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Alex Waldrop
News, Articles, Videos and other content about Alex Waldrop
Federal Internet Gambling Advances
A bill that would legalize and regulate Internet gambling in the U.S. advanced July 28 when it was approved 41-22 by the House Financial Services Committee.
State Legislators Told Compact Viable Option
State legislators from around the United States were told July 27 a proposed interstate compact for racing and wagering is a means of promoting uniformity in the industry and fighting off threats of federal intervention.
NTRA Board Reaffirms Support for Organization
- By Tom LaMarra
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association is moving on in the wake of the defection of Churchill Downs Inc. for at least this year.
NTRA: 'Punching Bag' or Valued Resource?
- By Tom LaMarra
As the National Thoroughbred Racing Association prepares for its June 3 board of directors meeting in New York amid a changing landscape, the organization's biggest challenge could very well be industry perception.
NTRA: Balanced Budget, Board Changes in Works
- By Tom LaMarra
Operating revenue for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association was down 45.2% in 2009 from 2008, but expenses were down 47.5% year-to-year, leading the organization to suggest it should have a balanced budget for 2010.
American Stalls Newest NTRA Corporate Partner
American Stalls also becomes an NTRA Advantage partner, offering a variety of premium quality permanent and portable stalls.
CDI Won't Renew NTRA Membership for 2010
- By Tom LaMarra
Churchill Downs Inc., operator of four major racetracks in the United States, has informed the National Thoroughbred Racing Association via letter it won't renew its membership for 2010.
Pfizer Partners With NTRA Alliance
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association March 31 announced that Pfizer Animal Health has become an official Equine Health Promotional Partner of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.
Barbaro Fund Makes Disbursements of $134,707
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced March 19 that the NTRA Charities-Barbaro Memorial Fund has made three new disbursements to support laminitis research.
Rachel Alexandra Won't Run in Apple Blossom
Jess Jackson said Rachel Alexandra won't run against undefeated champion Zenyatta in the Apple Blossom (gr. I), but he proposed a three-race series in which the two talented female runners would meet.
Porter, former HBPA Consultant, Joins NTRA
Barkley N. Porter has been named vice president, sales and business development of the NTRA.
Numbers Show Need for Contraction, Innovation
- By Ron Mitchell
A report showing that for the second consecutive year wagering on Thoroughbred racing in the U.S. sustained a major hit is a sign that the industry is impacted by the recession and needs to find ways to generate more money.
U.S. Wagering Declined by Nearly 10% in 2009
Wagering on U.S. racing in 2009 declined by 9.9% to total $12.3 billion, compared with $13.7 billion the previous year, according to figures released Jan. 6 by Equibase Company.
Zenyatta Second in AP Female Athlete Vote
Zenyatta, who became the first female to win the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) last month at Santa Anita, finished second to tennis star Serena Williams as Associated Press' Female Athlete of the Year in 2009.
NTRA Safety Alliance Accredits Fair Grounds
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans has been fully accredited by the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance following a complete review of all racing operations at the facility.
NTRA Projecting 25% Reduction in Budget
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association expects to approve a 2010 budget that's about 25% smaller than this year's spending plan, president and chief executive officer Alex Waldrop said.
Internet Bet Regulations Delayed Six Months
- By Tom LaMarra
Horse racing officials said the industry bought some time with the announcement regulations tied to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act won't take effect until June 1, 2010.
Georgia Committee Studies Racetrack Benefits
- By Esther Marr
The state of Georgia may be in for some changes in the coming months as horse enthusiasts try to convince lawmakers that building a racetrack is vital to both the struggling breeding industry and the economy as a whole.
Roster, Agenda Set for NTRA Meeting, Summit
Marketing and promotions, legislative advocacy, NTRA Advantage purchasing program, and the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance are among the topics at this year's National Thoroughbred Racing Association�fs Annual Meeting and Marketing Summit.
AP Report: Racetrack Deaths Down Slightly
The rush to improve safety since Eight Belles was euthanized at last year's Kentucky Derby Presented By Yum! Brands (gr. I) did little to curb the number of horses dying at American racetracks in 2008, The Associated Press found in a national count.
Poll: Progress in Racing, But Long Way to Go
- By Tom LaMarra
A survey of sports fans and "core" horse racing fans indicates impressions have improved following a rough 2008, but nowhere near enough for industry officials to proclaim a turnaround.
AAEP Contributes to Safety/Integrity Alliance
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Safety and Integrity Alliance has received a contribution of $15,000 from the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
Sanan Appointed to NTRA Board
Thoroughbred owner-breeder Satish Sanan was appointed to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association board to represent Breeders' Cup. Ltd., effective as of the next NTRA board of directors meeting in September in Florence, Ky.
Online Gambling Bill Has Racing Provisions
Federal legislation that would regulate online poker and games of skill protects pari-mutuel horse racing under the Interstate Horseracing Act and includes various tax breaks sought by the racing industry, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association said Aug. 7.
Hollywood Gets Full Alliance Accreditation
Hollywood Park, whose future is in serious doubt after 2009, has received full accreditation from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance.
Bill Would End Ban on Internet Gambling
- By Tom LaMarra
- News
A bill that would end a ban on wagering online in the United States was introduced May 6 by Democratic Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts.
Feed Company Aids Neglected Horses
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance April 23 announced that longtime NTRA Advantage partner and official supplier Hallway Feeds has donated 6,000 pounds of feed to aid the 170 horses suffering from malnourishment at Center Brook Farm near Climax, N.Y.
Dogs' Plight a Lesson for Horse Racing?
- By Tom LaMarra
- News
As the Thoroughbred industry seeks to build on and create new programs to deal with horses that can no longer race, it could learn lessons from Greyhound racing, which has a history of successful adoption programs and first-hand knowledge of the power of animal-rights groups.
Keeneland Accredited by NTRA Alliance
At a press conference April 17 at Keeneland, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced that the Lexington racetrack has been fully accredited by the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance following a complete review of all racing operations at the facility. Keeneland is the second track to be so designated by the Alliance. Churchill Downs was accredited last week.
Track Testing Lab to be Launched
A Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory designed to enhance surface safety for horses and riders is being launched with the financial support of a broad industry coalition, it was announced April 17 by the laboratory's coordinators Dr. Mick Peterson and Dr. Wayne McIlwraith.
Safety Accreditation a Long-Haul Process
- By Tom LaMarra
- News, Kentucky
The accreditation of Churchill Downs by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance is being called a major accomplishment by the officials involved, but they also acknowledge it's just the beginning. Safety and integrity standards will change, and compliance will be reviewed at least every two years.
Churchill Downs Accredited by Alliance
At a press conference April 9 at Churchill Downs, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced that the Louisville racetrack has been fully accredited by the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance following a comprehensive review of racing operations at the facility.
ESPN Networks to Air Key Derby Preps
"NTRA Racing to the Kentucky Derby" will air on the ESPN networks beginning Saturday, March 21, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced Feb. 27.
Safety Alliance Circulates Standards
- By Tom LaMarra
- News
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has circulated a list of more than 15 compliance standards that could be finalized in early March and serve as the basis for accreditation in the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.
Industry Awaits Betfair Plans for TVG
British-based Betfair Group, which announced Jan. 27 it had completed its acquisition of TV Games Network from Macrovision for $50 million in cash consideration, is hopeful its new holding helps it make inroads in the United States market, which it has courted for years.
Barbaro Fund Supports Reseach Projects
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association Dec. 5 announced that its subsidiary, NTRA Charities, has disbursed $90,801 in support of one new and two continuing equine medical research projects.
NTRA Seeks Director for New Alliance
- By Tom LaMarra
- News
A week after announcing a major safety and integrity initiative for horse racing, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association board of directors said it has launched a national search for an executive director to spearhead the endeavor.
Waldrop: Pleased With Alliance Response
- By Esther Marr
- News
Following the Oct. 15 unveiling of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Safety and Integrity Alliance, four of the organization's principle figures were on hand to further explain their roles and the details of the equine health and safety reform plan, which will be implemented gradually over the next two years.
Handle Dives Almost 10% in Third Quarter
- By Tom LaMarra
- News
Handle on races in the United States sharply dropped 9.85% in the third quarter of this year, clearly in keeping with a trend that began in early 2008.
NTRA: 'Safety' Train to Leave Station
- By Tom LaMarra
- News
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association will unveil its Safety and Integrity Initiative Oct. 15 and fully expects broad industry cooperation given progress made thus far, officials said Oct. 1.
From Vegas: Marketing Summit Wrap-Up
- By Esther Marr
- News
Blogging and other Web-related topics were given some of the highest priority during the Sept. 22 sessions of the well-attended National Thoroughbred Racing Association Marketing Summit at Las Vegas' Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa.
NTRA: Reaching a New Generation
- By Esther Marr
- News
After a three-year hiatus, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Marketing Summit was brought to the forefront of a growing list of necessary steps toward creating a better industry. The three day conference, held Sept. 21-23 at the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa in Las Vegas, covered a variety of topics, from reaching new generations of fans, to discussing updates on several NTRA programs and initiatives.
NTRA Hopes to Fast-Track Safety Plan
- By Tom LaMarra
- News
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association hopes to have a long-term implementation plan for uniform equine health and safety measures in place within 30 days.
NTRA to Seek Commitments on Reform Plan
- By Tom LaMarra
- News
Support for a proposed national strategic plan for equine welfare and safety and other reforms will be sought Sept. 12 when the National Thoroughbred Racing Association brings together industry representatives for discussion and -- it hopes -- commitment to action.
Bill to Bag Withholding Tax Introduced
- By Tom LaMarra
- News
Legislation that would eliminate the automatic 25% federal withholding on pari-mutuel winnings of $5,000 or more on wagers of at least 300-1 was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives July 29.
Wagering Plummets Since Triple Crown
- By Ryan Conley
- News
Wagering has dropped 11% on North American Thoroughbred racing since the end of the Triple Crown series -- at least by one indicator -- a disturbing trend that can likely be attributed to a variety of factors.
Strategic Plan for Horse Safety in Works
- By Tom LaMarra
- News
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association is formulating a "strategic plan" for equine health and safety and will seek support from various industry organizations when the document is released, probably in early fall.
Pinnacle Race Course Joins NTRA
Pinnacle Race Course, the new Thoroughbred racetrack located near Detroit, Mich., has become a member of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association pending final NTRA board approval, it was announced July 15. Pinnacle will open its inaugural meet July 18.
Handle Down, Purses Up in Second Quarter
Pari-mutuel handle took a hit but purses gained a bit in the second quarter of 2008, according to the "Thoroughbred Racing Economic Indicators" for United States and Canadian pari-mutuel wagering on U.S. Thoroughbred racing.
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