Keeneland Announces $5.325 Million Stakes Schedule
Keeneland’s 2017 Fall Meet, which covers 17 days from Oct. 6-28, will present six grade 1 races among 17 graded stakes worth $5.325 million.
Bob Elliston
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Keeneland Tweaks Commission Structure
For the first time in some 30 years, Keeneland has tweaked the commission structure for all of its auctions.
Keeneland Ahead of 2016 Through Seven Programs
Spectacular weather and one of North America's highest purse structures that drew some of the top horses in training combined to boost the numbers in every major statistical category for Keeneland's first seven days.
Keeneland Creates Book 1 Bonus for September Sale
Keeneland announced a new program April 12 that will pay a cash bonus to any Book 1 September yearling sale graduate that wins a grade/group 1 stakes anywhere in the world. The bonus will be split between the seller and buyer.
Stonestreet to Sponsor Lexington Stakes, Purse Boosted
Keeneland announced Jan. 17 that Barbara Banke's Stonestreet has become the signature sponsor of the Spring Meet's Lexington Stakes (G3), to be held April 15.
Changing Schedules Impacted Wood, Blue Grass
While the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland and Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack will be downgraded from grade I to grade II races next season, don’t expect an immediate impact on horsemen’s Triple Crown plans or field quality.
Demand for Quality Paces Keeneland Sale
Keeneland’s 13-day November breeding stock sale that ended Nov. 20 reflected a stable market that mirrored recent trends, in which there is continued demand for quality and buyers' unwillingness to take risks on horses that do not fit their criteria.
Keeneland Catalogs 4,762 for November Sale
Keeneland has cataloged 4,762 horses for its 2016 November breeding stock sale, to be held Nov. 8-20 in Lexington.
Solid Keeneland Sale Ends With Declines
Keeneland’s marathon September yearling sale highlighted by the sale of Beholder’s half brother for $3 million ended Sept. 25, with strength at the top and middle of the market and continued tepid demand for lower quality individuals.
Solid Start to Keeneland September Sale
Boosted by a broad-based international buying bench and the appeal of top-caliber sires Medaglia d’Oro, Tapit, and War Front, the marathon Keeneland September yearling sale had a solid opening Sept. 12.
Can Keeneland Buck the Sales Trend?
If success on the racetrack transcends into success in the sales ring, Keeneland is well-poised to have a successful marathon September yearling sale that could end the downward spiral experienced by previous sales this year.
BC Helped Boost Lexington Tourism Numbers
The Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keeneland last year fueled double-digit tourism growth in Lexington in 2015, VisitLEX said Feb. 17.
Quiet Morning at Keeneland on BC Day 2
Keeneland's Rice Road training center was very quiet early the morning of Oct. 31 as only a few of the horses participating in the second day of the Breeders' Cup World Championships later were sent to that track.
BC Economic Impact Looks Strong
Revenue, participation exceeding expectations
Coalition Critical of California Lasix Delay
The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity said Aug. 21 California's failure to adopt third-party administration of the race-day drug furosemide shows the pitfalls of state-by-state regulation.
Keeneland BC to Have Focus on 'Experience'
Parts of the grounds at Keeneland in Lexington may look like mini construction sites right now, but if one takes a step back and looks at the whole picture, it's very clear: The place is getting bigger.
BC Simulcasts in Hong Kong Not Likely in 2015
There's a good chance no races that are part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships will be simulcast to Hong Kong this year.
New BC Policy: Will Industry Embrace Action?
The recent announcement by Breeders' Cup to ban horses from being entered in the World Championships if their trainers are found to be in violation of its convicted trainers rule, effective 2015, could signal change.
Free Equibase BC Contests to Award $10,000
Equibase Co. will offer separate handicapping tournaments on Friday, Oct. 31, and Saturday, Nov. 1, of the Breeders' Cup World Championships with $10,000 in total cash prizes.
BC 2014: Bob Elliston and Craig Fravel
- By Tom LaMarra
Tom LaMarra interviews Breeders' Cup President Craig Fravel and COO Bob Elliston. The trio discuss record pre-entries including European contenders, what to expect at Keeneland next year, and a few possible wagering picks. watch video
Breeders' Cup Ramps Up Recruiting in Europe
Breeders' Cup Ltd. announced March 14 that its director of racing and nominations, Joshua Christian, will be on assignment in Europe for an extended recruitment effort between April and October this year.
Breeders' Cup: Tradition, But Not Status Quo
As the Breeders' Cup World Championships approaches its 30th edition, some things have become standard from an operations perspective, while others continue to change. As questions are answered, new ones are asked.
CHRB Accepts Post-Hollywood Stabling Plan
The California Horse Racing Board put its stamp on the racing industry's plan for stabling Thoroughbreds in the immediate post-Betfair Hollywood Park era during its meeting Oct. 24.
Arabian Race Approved; CHRB Grills BC
Breeders' Cup was approved Sept. 19 to card a $150,000 stakes for Arabians on the first day of its World Championships, but not before the CHRB grilled the organization on its plan to shift all or part of the money to purses.
Equine Aftercare Organization Adds Directors
Jimmy Bell, Craig Bernick, Bob Elliston, Rachel Kukulewich join Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance board of directors.
KEEP Adds Five to Its Board
The Board of Directors of the Kentucky Equine Education Project has added five new members.
BC Prepared for Handle Hit After Hurricane
Breeders' Cup is prepared to take a hit in pari-mutuel handle given the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast even though many wagering outlets were back in operation Nov. 2.
Gulfstream Serious About Breeders' Cup Bid
Gulfstream Park could make a serious bid to host a future Breeders' Cup World Championships, officials confirmed Nov. 2.
Elliston Has Eye on Future for Breeders' Cup
Bob Elliston, who took over as chief operating officer at Breeders' Cup earlier this year, said the organization is assessing its position and working to improve the overall experience the World Championships has to offer.
NYTHA Contributes $10,000 to T-bred Aftercare
The Breeders' Cup announced today that its "Text to Donate" campaign has received a contribution of $10,000 from the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association.
Flight Carrying BC Horses Able to Leave NY
A flight carrying a contingent of Breeders' Cup horses from New York to California was rescheduled to 1 a.m. EDT Oct. 29 and was able to take off as Hurricane Sandy approached the Northeast, Breeders' Cup officials said.
Breeders' Cup Finalizes Race Schedule
Dirt Mile, Juvenile, and Sprint will shift in their race order on the Nov. 3 Breeders' Cup card while Friday's card remains the same.
Breeders' Cup Starts Text to Donate Campaign
In continuing support of a national program for retired racehorses, the Breeders' Cup announced Oct. 23 that it has created a Text to Donate campaign that will allow fans to contribute to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.
Farms, Industry Groups to Support Aftercare
Several industry groups, including 13 prominent breeding farms in Kentucky, have developed plans to provide funds beginning in 2013 to support the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.
Thomason Newest Member of NTRA Board
- By Tom LaMarra
Bill Thomason, who took over as president and chief executive officer at Keeneland Sept. 1, has been named to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association board of directors.
Owner Reaffirms Wood Memorial for Hansen
Gotham Stakes (gr. III) winner Hansen wrapped up his week at Turfway Park with a paddock appearance the evening of March 9, but his majority owner reaffirmed that the colt will run next in New York, not Kentucky.
Turfway Slashes Purses; Lowest in 20 Years
In yet another sign of trouble for the Kentucky horse racing industry, Turfway Park said it will slash overnight purses 25% effective March 3 because of an overpayment coupled with lower pari-mutuel handle.
Turfway Drops Some Stakes to Maintain Purses
The ability to fill a greater number of higher-level races in December has led Turfway Park to trim some stakes toward the end of its 2012 winter/spring meet to meet the purse budget.
Turfway Returns to Saturday Afternoon Racing
Turfway Park will end its experiment with Saturday night racing effective Jan. 14, when it switches to a 1:10 p.m. first post.
NTRA OKs Budget, Reaffirms Commitment
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association board of directors has approved an $8 million budget for 2012 and reaffirmed its commitment to move forward, even in the absence of several high-profile members.
Turfway to Request 33% Cut in Pick 4 Takeout
Turfway Park will ask the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission for permission to lower the pari-mutuel takeout rate on Pick 4 wagers to 14% from 22% effective Jan. 1, 2012.
2012 Kentucky Racing Dates Approved
With only a slight modification from the original proposal approved previously by a committee, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Oct. 24 unanimously OK'd 2012 racing dates for the state's racetracks.
Instant Racing Poised to Expand in Kentucky
With Instant Racing off to a successful start at Kentucky Downs, other tracks in the Bluegrass state are making plans to usher in the form of electronic gaming.
Woodard Horses Ordered to Vacate Turfway Park
Trainer Joe Woodard, second in the nation in victories this year, was ordered to remove his horses from Turfway Park after he scratched six horses entered Sept. 16 with about 30 minutes to post time for the first race.
KY Cup Classic Gets New Distance, Name
The grade II Kentucky Cup Classic, which returns to Turfway Park in September after a one-year hiatus, will have a new distance and new name, track officials said Aug. 18.
Some Funds Allocated for Possible KY Cup
A committee has approved use of $100,000 from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund for several Kentucky Cup races, but it remains to be seen whether the stakes series--at least part of it--will be run.
Efforts Continue to Restore Kentucky Cup
Efforts to restore the Kentucky Cup Day of Champions at Turfway Park in September are ongoing, but the return of the stakes program could hinge on sponsorships.
Elliston: 'Major League' Mindset Needed
Horse racing needs to take a "major league" approach in order to increase economic opportunities and spur investment, National Thoroughbred Racing Association executive chairman Bob Elliston said May 4.
Status of Turfway, KY Industry Discussed
Officials wouldn't comment April 8 on growing rumors of an impending ownership change at Turfway Park in Kentucky, but they did say plans call for live racing to continue.
Turfway Bucks Trend; Ontrack Handle Up 13.5%
Turfway Park reported across-the-board increases in pari-mutuel handle for its 2011 winter/spring meet in the face of national figures that show total handle on United States racing is down 8.5% for the same period.
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