West Virginia

News, Articles, Videos and other content about West Virginia

Charles Town Fires Placing Judges

Charles Town Races & Slots in West Virginia fired three placing judges who called the wrong order of finish for the second race Sept. 9, according to head state steward Danny Wright.

Green 'Thumb' Hinges on New York Revenue Model

Finger Lakes Gaming & Racing will add almost 200 video lottery terminals as part of a $4-million expansion, but a top official with owner Delaware North indicated major racing-related projects, such as installation of a turf course and perhaps a synthetic surface, are closely linked to the VLT revenue model in New York.

Bright One Keeps Rolling in West Virginia Derby

Bright One, the talk of Churchill Downs after two impressive victories in maiden company and an overnight stakes, lived up to the hype Sunday afternoon when he toyed with nine foes in his graded-stakes debut and ran away with the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. III) at Mountaineer Race Track & Gaming Resort.

West Virginia Derby, at $750,000, Attracts 59 Nominees

Deputy Glitters, High Cotton, and Flashy Bull, the top three finishers, respectively, in the Ohio Derby (gr. II) at Thistledown, and the lightly raced but impressive Bright One are among the 59 nominees for the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. III) at Mountaineer Race Track & Gaming Resort on Aug. 6.

Three Contenders Work Toward Stephen Foster

Fred Bradley's Brass Hat and Stonecrest Farm's Perfect Drift, the local stars that could be the favorites for Saturday's 25th running of the $750,0000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill Downs, turned in their final major pre-race preps on Tuesday with training moves at Trackside Louisville training center.

Magna Graduate to Miss Foster With Injury

The Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) lost a major contender when trainer Todd Pletcher said that Elisabeth Alexander's Magna Graduate would miss the June 17 race after suffering an injury during a Sunday workout at Churchill Downs.

Invasor Pulls off Special Surprise

Making his first start in North America, Shadwell Stable's Invasor pulled off a mild upset over favorite Wanderin Boy in the $500,000 Pimlico Special (gr. I) May 19 before 24,429 at Old Hilltop. Invasor got the 1 3/16 miles in 1:54.40.

Bill Would Reorganize West Virginia Racing Commission

Legislation that would expand the West Virginia Racing Commission from three to five members and create the oversight position of a director of racing appointed by the governor has been introduced in the House of Delegates and sent to the House Committee on Government Organization.

Jockey Club's 2006 Online Fact Book Available

  • News

Declines in national purses and handle coupled with continued strength in the auction sales markets and in regional breeding markets highlight statistics contained in the Jockey Club's 2006 Online Fact Book, which was released today on the organization's website.

Bills: Vote on Table Games, Ban on Account Bets

West Virginia lawmakers are considering two bills--one that would prohibit account wagering, and another that would authorize county referendums on the addition of casino-style games at Thoroughbred and Greyhound racetracks.

Charles Town Horsemen's Group in Flux Yet Again

The president and vice president of the Charles Town Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association have resigned, and a West Virginia owner/breeder who headed the organization when video lottery terminals were introduced in the mid-1990s has again taken over as president.

Other States Act to Combat Spread of Virus

  • News

As surrounding states took steps to protect their racetracks from Maryland horses that could be carriers of equine herpesvirus, officials and horsemen in Maryland dealt with the fallout.

Brass Hat Wears New Orleans 'Cap Crown

Brass Hat, making only his third start after a 13-month layoff, took a commanding 2 1/2-length victory in the $435,600 New Orleans Handicap (gr. II) Saturday at the Fair Grounds meet at Harrah's Louisiana Downs.

Evening Attire Should Shake Slump in Stuyvesant

Trainer Pat Kelly would love to get his 7-year-old gelding Evening Attire, with just one win in his last 17 races, back to the winner's circle. With only five opponents to beat in Saturday's $100,000-added Stuyvesant Handicap (gr. III) at Aqueduct, he should have every chance.

A Huevo Euthanized After W. Va. Classic

A Huevo, a 9-year-old gelding owned by Mark Hopkins and winner of the 2003 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (gr. I) was euthanized after being pulled up soon after the start and vanned off following the West Virginia Breeders' Classic Stakes the evening of Oct. 8. The son of Cool Joe had been the 1-2 favorite in the nine-furlong race at Charles Town Races and Slots.

KEEP Supports Casinos at Licensed Racetracks

The Kentucky Equine Education Project announced its support Sept. 16 for a referendum to amend the state constitution to allow for casino gambling at licensed racetracks. But details of the plan won't be in the form of legislation until Jan. 1, 2006, and officials admitted the final document will be subject to revision.

West Virginia Survives Objection to Win Iselin

West Virginia surged to the lead with less than a furlong to go and held on to defeat 65-1 outsider Zoffinger in the $190,000 Philip H. Iselin Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. III) Sunday at Monmouth Park. The winner, ridden by Jose Velez Jr., survived an objection for drifting out into the path of the runner-up.

'Dandy' of a Win in Rich West Virginia Derby

Real Dandy, who has spent the better part of this year cashing checks against some of the top 3-year-olds in the country, finally broke through--in a $750,000 race--when he went from last to first to win Sunday's grade III West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort.

Bulky Field Still Possible for West Virginia Derby

With two days before entries are drawn, a field of 10-12 seemed possible for Sunday's $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. III), one of nine stakes on an all-stakes program at Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort that will rank as the richest day of racing in the history of the state.

American Record Falls on Belmont's Closing Day

Keep the Faith, a 5-year-old horse from Australia, set a North American record and shattered the Widener Turf Course record by winning the 6-furlong seventh race in 1:06.82 on closing day of the Belmont Park spring meeting Sunday.

Former Charles Town HBPA President Fires Back

The former president of the Charles Town Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association is calling for a special election in the wake of what he calls repeated attempts by the current president and board of directors to discredit him and his wife.

Horsemen's Money Goes to Dogs--But Not for Long?

Thoroughbred interests in West Virginia are hopeful lawmakers will correct action that took revenue for a proposed breed development program at Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort and shifted half of it to an incentive program for racing Greyhounds.

Legislator Advocates Changes at Charles Town

A West Virginia legislator whose district includes Charles Town Races & Slots is advocating a plan to enlarge the racing surface and, if necessary, renovate dilapidated Shenandoah Downs and race there during the down time--or perhaps permanently.

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