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Blame captures Churchill feature

"Blame drew off to win the featured $50,397 Moon Over Prospect Purse for 3-year-olds by 11/4 lengths over Blackberry Road on Thursday night at Churchill…

Jul 3 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

Judge closes Jockeys’ Guild bankruptcy case

"A federal bankruptcy judge has closed the case of the Jockeys' Guild, ending the long-running court supervision of the riders' trade association. U.S.…

Jul 3 | Miami Herald | Comments (0)

Geary says Ellis is ‘long shot’ to stay open

"Ellis Park owner Ron Geary left open the possibility Wednesday that the Western Kentucky racetrack could remain open in 2010, although he called it a…

Jul 2 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

Thursday is final night out for Churchill meet

The last of Churchill Downs' three night cards is Thursday, kicking off the Fourth of July holiday and the meet's closing week. First post is 6 p.m. EDT…

Jul 2 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

Firecracker field provides some pop

"Churchill Downs racing officials are elated with the turnout for the $150,000 Firecracker Handicap, a Grade 2 race that helps close out the final weekend…

Jul 2 | NTRA | Comments (0)

Brassy Boy Could Be Wiggins’ New Star

"When Rachel Alexandra was sold just a few days after her sensational Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) win and transferred out of the barn of Hal Wiggins, there was…

Jul 1 | BloodHorse.com | Comments (0)

Borel may jump off Mine That Bird again

"A potential conflict could lead to jockey Calvin Borel snubbing Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird once again. Borel is tentatively scheduled to ride…

Jul 1 | NTRA | Comments (0)

Big dreams for Rumor Has It

"Rumor Has It won the Polar Expedition Stakes by almost six lengths Saturday at Arlington Park. And what that means is hard to say. The Polar Expedition…

Jul 1 | NTRA | Comments (0)

Zenyatta, ‘Rachel’ Duel Unlikely Before BC

"Jerry Moss, who owns champion mare Zenyatta with his wife, Ann, said June 29 that it is unlikely he would ship his undefeated 5-year-old east for a date…

Jun 30 | BloodHorse.com | Comments (0)

Mine That Bird works half-mile at Churchill

"Mine That Bird was sent through his first workout since finishing third as the favorite in the June 6 Belmont Stakes when he breezed an easy half-mile…

Jun 30 | NTRA | Comments (0)

Clement Hirsch next for Zenyatta

"Zenyatta will be pointed for the $300,000 Clement Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 9, trainer John Shirreffs said on Sunday. After that, it is difficult…

Jun 30 | NTRA | Comments (0)

Kentucky commits additional money to regulator

"The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission will receive a significant boost in state funding in the coming fiscal year to carry out its duties. The commission…

Jun 30 | Thoroughbred Times | Comments (0)

Study supports use of anti-bleeding drug for horses

"The controversial anti-bleeding drug furosemide shows a therapeutic benefit for racehorses beyond the performance-enhancing effects of the medication,…

Jun 30 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

Mine That Bird set to begin workouts at Churchill Downs

"Calvin Borel is ready to take the saddle on Mine That Bird again. The Kentucky Derby-winning jockey is scheduled to mount his Derby-winning horse Monday…

Jun 29 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

At Mother Goose Stakes, Rachel Alexandra has record-setting day

"Three-horse races usually don't create goose bumps. Then again, there aren't many performances as stirring as Rachel Alexandra's record-setting victory…

Jun 28 | NY Daily News | Comments (0)

Stumbo, Churchill see Derby eventually at risk

"The Wood Memorial at Aqueduct in New York - not the Kentucky Derby - could be the first leg of the Triple Crown if the state doesn't allow racetracks…

Jun 26 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

Churchill Downs to try Friday night done right

"Racing fans who waited in long lines for beer and other concessions at Churchill Downs on June19 can get their spirits raised Friday. And they can order…

Jun 26 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

No more synthetics for ‘Rachel’

"The co-owner of Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra doesn't plan to run the star filly in the Breeders' Cup, preventing a potential matchup with champion…

Jun 25 | Baltimore Sun | Comments (0)

Lukas Shoots For Seventh Debutante

"Trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who has saddled a Debutante Stakes (gr. III) winner a record six times, will have two chances at bringing home a seventh June…

Jun 25 | BloodHorse.com | Comments (0)

Geary says Ellis meet to be its last

"The owner of Ellis Park says the thoroughbred track is preparing for its final meet. Horses have raced for 88 years at the track on the north bank of…

Jun 25 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

Clay: Death of slots bill a loss for everyone

"Handicapping skill is based on the ability to pick winners. But in the current slugfest over approving slots at the state's racetracks, the tote board…

Jun 24 | Lexington Herald-Leader | Comments (0)

Turfway sees trouble in Ohio

"Turfway Park in Northern Kentucky might have to close by the end of 2010 if Ohio approves slot machines at horse racetracks and Kentucky doesn't, its…

Jun 24 | Lexington Herald-Leader | Comments (0)

Horse industry bemoans demise of slots bill

"A collective depression settled over Kentucky horsemen Tuesday as leaders of the state's signature industry contemplated a future without slot machines…

Jun 24 | Lexington Herald-Leader | Comments (0)

Horse industry rally to be held at Keeneland

"The Kentucky Equine Education Project will host a horse industry rally Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. EDT at the Keeneland Sales Pavilion in Lexington. Those…

Jun 24 | Thoroughbred Times | Comments (0)

Breeders’ Cup adds eight foreign qualifiers

"The Breeders' Cup has added eight races in foreign countries to its "Win and You're In" program that guarantees the winner a starting position in one…

Jun 23 | NTRA | Comments (0)

Rachel Alexandra has last work before Mother Goose

"Preakness-winning filly Rachel Alexandra put in a final workout before her next start in Saturday's Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park. Rachel Alexandra…

Jun 23 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

Breeders’ Cup Challenge expands to new countries

"The Breeders’ Cup Challenge series will spread to Australia, France, and Ireland for the first time in 2009 in an expanded schedule of 62 races offering…

Jun 23 | Thoroughbred Times | Comments (0)

Senate panel rejects slots bill

"The Senate budget committee rejected a controversial bill Monday night that would have allowed slot machines at racetracks as a way to shore up Kentucky's…

Jun 23 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

Notes: Battle of Hastings wins Colonial Turf Cup

"Morning-line favorite Battle of Hastings took the $500,000, Grade II Colonial Turf Cup by a head on Saturday at Colonial Downs. Despite being rank under…

Jun 22 | Lexington Herald-Leader | Comments (0)

No MassCap For Suffolk Downs in 2009

"Suffolk Downs will not conduct the Massachusetts Handicap in 2009 due to current economic conditions, track officials announced June 19. “It's a difficult…

Jun 20 | BloodHorse.com | Comments (0)

Churchill Downs starts night racing Friday

"It wasn't until after the Stephen Foster Handicap last Saturday that John Asher got his first look at the temporary lights set up around the Churchill…

Jun 20 | Lexington Herald-Leader | Comments (0)

Owners decline offer for Mine That Bird

"Trainer Chip Woolley said Friday that owners Mark Allen and Dr.Leonard Blach rejected an offer to sell Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, a proposal…

Jun 20 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

Night racing preferable to ‘night, racing

"There's no way, I suppose, that Churchill Downs could have known that its historic first night of racing would coincide with a special session of Kentucky's…

Jun 19 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

Churchill CEO says racetracks need slots

"As storm clouds loomed over Churchill Downs Inc.'s home track, its chief executive said Thursday that Kentucky racetracks will face stiff challenges if…

Jun 19 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

Mother Goose Next Start for Rachel Alexandra

"Rachel Alexandra, winner of the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and BlackBerry Preakness Stakes (gr. I), will make her next start in the 1 1/8 -mile Mother Goose…

Jun 18 | BloodHorse.com | Comments (0)

Nicanor Wins Again on Turf

"Nicanor, who broke his maiden by more than 15 lengths last out, followed up by going wire-to-wire for a 1 3/4-length allowance score June 17 on the Delaware…

Jun 18 | BloodHorse.com | Comments (0)

Summer Bird’s summer plans

"Summer Bird will likely have his first work since winning the Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Louisiana Downs. The horse is based at the Bossier City, La.,…

Jun 18 | NTRA | Comments (0)

Barbaro’s brother heating up

"Nicanor, the three-year-old brother of 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, recorded his second consecutive victory Wednesday at Delaware Park. The colt…

Jun 18 | Miami Herald | Comments (0)

Vet being investigated in horse shooting

"Dr. Thomas J. Lurito, a veterinarian who practices at Philadelphia Park, has been ruled off the grounds of the track while the racing commission investigates…

Jun 18 | MSNBC | Comments (0)

Colonial Turf Cup lures diverse group

"Thoroughbreds accomplished on turf, potential turf stars, and class main-track horses giving the grass a try, Saturday’s $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup…

Jun 17 | Thoroughbred Times | Comments (0)

Churchill horsemen like lights

"The second morning of testing Churchill Downs' temporary lighting for Friday's first of three experimental night-time cards brought additional praise…

Jun 17 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

School construction plan linked to slots bill

"A plan to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to rebuild rundown schools and pay for other education needs would be funded by slot machine revenues,…

Jun 17 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

Breeders’ Cup elects 13 board members

"Breeders' Cup Ltd. has elected 13 individuals to its Board of Members and Trustees. The results of the election, confirmed by TrueBallot Inc. on June…

Jun 17 | Thoroughbred Times | Comments (0)

Rachel Alexandra works under Churchill lights

"Stonestreet Stables’ and Harold McCormick’s BlackBerry Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Rachel Alexandra helped usher in a new era of racing at Churchill…

Jun 16 | Thoroughbred Times | Comments (0)

Quality Road Sent to Pletcher

"Quality Road, winner of this year’s Florida Derby (gr. I) and Fountain of Youth (gr. II), has been transferred from Jimmy Jerkens’ barn to Todd Pletcher…

Jun 16 | BloodHorse.com | Comments (0)

Triple Crown horses prepping for summer

"The three winners of this year's Triple Crown races are each taking completely different paths this summer. The ultimate goal for each thoroughbred, however,…

Jun 16 | Miami Herald | Comments (0)

Friesan Fire, Old Fashioned Recuperating

"Friesan Fire, the favorite in this year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), is recuperating nicely from surgery, his co-owner said. The…

Jun 16 | BloodHorse.com | Comments (0)

Beshear advocates VLTs at Ky. tracks in speech

"Noting the number of jobs affected directly and indirectly by the horse industry, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear called on legislators to allow state…

Jun 16 | Thoroughbred Times | Comments (0)

Illinois casinos file suits against horsemen, tracks

"Four northern Illinois riverboat casinos have filed two lawsuits aimed at preventing Illinois horsemen and racetracks from obtaining nearly $80-million…

Jun 16 | Thoroughbred Times | Comments (0)

Gandolph Finch conjures victory at Churchill

"Gandolph Finch took the lead leaving the backstretch to win Sunday's $49,280 Morluc Purse feature race at Churchill Downs by 13/4 lengths. Trained by…

Jun 15 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

Slots steal spotlight from the sport

The dozen states that already have racinos — horse racetracks with some casino gambling, usually slot machines — prove that such places can rake in…

Jun 15 | Lexington Herald-Leader | Comments (0)

Macho Again Denies Einstein in Foster

"West Point Thoroughbreds' Macho Again found room off the turn and pulled away from a wall of horses to win the $660,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I)…

Jun 14 | BloodHorse.com | Comments (0)

Horse industry has problems, but it’s far from dying

"Gov. Steve Beshear uses stark words such as dying to describe Kentucky's horse industry as he urges the General Assembly to legalize slot machines at…

Jun 14 | Lexington Herald-Leader | Comments (0)

100,000 horse workers in Kentucky? Not quite

"The number is cited so frequently by pro-slots politicians and gambling interests' advertising that it's now unquestionably woven into newspaper stories:…

Jun 14 | Lexington Herald-Leader | Comments (0)

Woolley sets Mine That Bird on course for W.Va.

"The trainer of Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird says the horse will run next in the West Virginia Derby before eventually pointing to the Breeders'…

Jun 13 | MSNBC | Comments (0)

Finallymadeit is used to racing a tough crowd

Saturday's $660,000 Stephen Foster Handicap will provide a serious challenge for Finallymadeit. The field of eight older horses includes Santa Anita Handicap…

Jun 13 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

Jockeys’ Guild settles dispute with ex-CEO

"The Jockeys' Guild and its onetime leader have settled a long-running legal dispute, removing one of the last obstacles to the organization closing its…

Jun 13 | Lexington Herald-Leader | Comments (0)

Regret: Hard to separate 11 3-year-old fillies

"Churchill Downs usually saves one of its biggest and most competitive fields for the nightcap, largely in an effort to increase the potential for a large…

Jun 12 | NTRA | Comments (0)

Gulfstream donates to jockey-related funds

"The National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s Charities Permanently Disabled Jockey’s Fund and to the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis will both receive…

Jun 12 | Thoroughbred Times | Comments (0)

Mine That Bird camp to be at Churchill

"Jockey Calvin Borel, trainer Chip Woolley and owners Leonard Blach and Mark Allen will watch the premier of this year's “Greatest Race” 360-degree…

Jun 12 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

Haskell next for Belmont winner Summer Bird

"Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird has returned to his Louisiana Downs base and is being prepared for a start in the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell at Monmouth…

Jun 11 | MSNBC | Comments (0)

Dutrow aims high with Seattle Smooth

"Tony Dutrow could have taken the easy way out. More impressed with Seattle Smooth when she races around two turns than one, Dutrow could have shipped…

Jun 11 | NTRA | Comments (0)

Mine That Bird’s connections to visit Derby Museum

"The connections of Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Mine That Bird will be on hand at the Kentucky Derby Museum on Friday to watch…

Jun 11 | Thoroughbred Times | Comments (0)

Lucky winner hits Belmont Stakes day Pick 6

"One person correctly selected the winners of all six graded stakes races for the Pick 6 on Belmont Stakes day. The ticket was worth $969,345. The lone…

Jun 11 | Yahoo! Sports | Comments (0)

Overbrook’s dispersal is bad news for racing

"It's been more than five years since William T. Young passed away from an apparent heart attack on Jan. 12, 2004. But when the word came late Tuesday…

Jun 11 | Lexington Herald-Leader | Comments (0)

Fleur de Lis: Miss Isella Has Home Track Edge

"Miss Isella, upset winner of the Louisville Distaff (gr. II) last out, looks to build upon that score when taking on eight rivals in the $200,000 Fleur…

Jun 11 | BloodHorse.com | Comments (0)

Overbrook to sell off most horses

"For decades, Overbrook Farm was the ultimate symbol of the passion William T. Young held for the sport of horse racing. By his own admission, Bill Young…

Jun 10 | Lexington Herald-Leader | Comments (0)

Jennie Rees: Breeding industry in danger, too

"The most visible evidence of the implosion of Kentucky racing is the short fields, precipitous drop in betting and cutbacks in racing dates as horses…

Jun 10 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

N.J. governor backs legalized sports gambling

"In their efforts to bring sports gambling to state racetracks, New Jersey horsemen have picked up a powerful ally in Governor Jon Corzine. Corzine has…

Jun 10 | Thoroughbred Times | Comments (0)

Fractured leg, surgery won’t end Dunkirk’s career

"Belmont Stakes runner-up Dunkirk underwent surgery Tuesday after sustaining a condylar fracture in his left hind leg during Saturday's Triple Crown finale…

Jun 10 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

Quality Road returns after missing Crown

"Jimmy Jerkens won't dwell on what might have been, but he is certainly looking forward to the second half of the year to see what might be. Jerkens is…

Jun 10 | MSNBC | Comments (0)

Summer Bird surprises in Belmont

"It was the 65th anniversary of D-Day on Saturday. At Belmont Park, that stood for Desormeaux Day. A crowd estimated by New York Racing Association officials…

Jun 7 | NTRA | Comments (0)

For Borel, no win and no regrets

"In a town known for its sports guarantees, Calvin Borel proved to be more Patrick Ewing than Joe Namath or Mark Messier. Borel spent all week guaranteeing…

Jun 7 | NTRA | Comments (0)

Desormeaux gets redemption at Belmont

"Kent Desormeaux has heard enough about his deflating performance aboard Big Brown in last year’s Belmont Stakes, when the so-called superhorse was considered…

Jun 7 | MSNBC | Comments (0)

A good effort for Belmont runner-up

"Expectations have always been high for Dunkirk. A $3.7 million yearling purchase in 2007, the gray colt was cautiously brought along by trainer Todd Pletcher.…

Jun 7 | MSNBC | Comments (0)

Calvin Borel falls short in own triple crown at Belmont

"Calvin Borel wasn't the first to see the tantalizing mirage of nothing but open ground between his horse and the finish line of the Belmont Stakes. Attempting…

Jun 7 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

Path taken is far from Mine That Bird’s first choice at Belmont Stakes

"The race was too soon and too long and Mine That Bird made the mistake of running another horse's race. The Kentucky Derby winner, who runs his best when…

Jun 7 | NY Daily News | Comments (0)

Acoma Holds Off Pure Clan in Mint Julep

"Helen Groves and Helen Alexander’s Acoma repelled a late bid from Pure Clan and held on for a neck victory in the $109,000 Early Times Mint Julep Handicap…

Jun 7 | BloodHorse.com | Comments (0)

The Talk of the Crown

"Calvin Borel's agent has earned his keep the past five weeks fielding all the queries and media requests for his star jockey. While many have looked to…

Jun 6 | Lexington Herald-Leader | Comments (0)

Down the stretch at Belmont Stakes, Bird will be word

"Rain? Nobody wants rain. We don't need no stinkin' rain. The mile and a half of the Belmont Stakes offers enough problems without the horses making the…

Jun 6 | NY Daily News | Comments (0)

Mine That Bird is a winner, though he might not look it

"If you were to line them all up and then ask a policeman from Switzerland, or an alien reptile from the star system Alpha Draconis or a host of a radio…

Jun 6 | Fort Worth Star-Telegram | Comments (0)

Chocolate Candy will be dandy in Belmont

"Mine That Bird has deservedly completed the journey from 50-1 shot in the Kentucky Derby to 2-1 favorite in the Belmont Stakes, but before we just hand…

Jun 6 | MSNBC | Comments (0)

Nick Zito likes his low-profile horses’ chances

"Unless you were one of the few to place a bet on him, hardly anyone remembers that Da'Tara won the Belmont Stakes last year. All the focus was on Big…

Jun 6 | Los Angeles Times | Comments (0)

History riding with Borel as he tries for jockey’s Triple Crown

"Jockey Calvin Borel is so sure Mine That Bird is the word for Saturday's $1 million Belmont Stakes that he has virtually guaranteed success in the final…

Jun 5 | USA Today | Comments (0)

Jockey Calvin Borel makes the most of his chances

"Jerry Hissam, Calvin Borel's close friend and longtime agent, was a little exasperated after the Preakness. Reporters were peppering him with questions…

Jun 5 | Los Angeles Times | Comments (0)

Belmont jockey Garcia ‘doing everything right’

"He is one of the hottest jockeys in the nation. He has won four graded stakes races in the past four weeks and his mount in Saturday's Belmont Stakes…

Jun 5 | Lexington Herald-Leader | Comments (0)

A patient plan for Charitable Man

"Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin had three colts he could have run in the Kentucky Derby, including Charitable Man. After skipping the Churchill Downs classic…

Jun 5 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

Farrier Tex Cauthen dies at 77

"Ronald "Tex" Cauthen, a Hall of Fame racetrack farrier and father to three sons prominent in the thoroughbred business, has died. He was 77. Amy Nave…

Jun 5 | Miami Herald | Comments (0)

Lukas takes a shot in the Belmont

"D. Wayne Lukas has a history of winning the Belmont Stakes with long shots. The U.S. Hall of Fame trainer returns on Saturday after a three-year gap with…

Jun 5 | MSNBC | Comments (0)

ABC hopes to ride Borel and Belmont Stakes to good ratings

"TV ratings for the Belmont Stakes are an anomaly. While ratings for many sports events are pretty consistent year-to-year, ratings for the third race…

Jun 5 | USA Today | Comments (0)

Velazquez Sees Belmont as Destiny

"A reoccurring theme in this year’s Triple Crown has been the game of musical chairs among jockeys. It couldn’t have worked out more beautifully for…

Jun 5 | BloodHorse.com | Comments (0)

Two jockeys saddle Calvin Borel with different expectations

"This is about great rides. One great ride. Richard Migliore and his horse, can't forget the horse, ran a close second at odds of 7-1 in Wednesday's first…

Jun 5 | NY Daily News | Comments (0)

Carlsbad Faces Tough Bunch in Hollywood Oaks

"Carlsbad, whose unbeaten string was ended at five races when she ran second to Witty in last month's Railbird (gr. III), faces a strong field in the $150,000…

Jun 5 | BloodHorse.com | Comments (0)

Hull, Regal Ransom Top Woody Stephens Field

"The undefeated Hull, and Regal Ransom, who turned in a surprising victory over stablemate Desert Party in the UAE Derby (gr.II), are among nine 3-year-olds…

Jun 5 | BloodHorse.com | Comments (0)

Belmont card to include dime superfecta wager

"The New York Racing Association will offer ten-cent superfecta wagering on all the graded stakes action on Friday and Saturday at Belmont Park. Friday’s…

Jun 5 | Thoroughbred Times | Comments (0)

Crown’s third-act curtain rising

"For a guy who was suddenly, unexpectedly thrust into the public eye five weeks ago when Mine That Bird scored an upset in the Kentucky Derby, trainer…

Jun 5 | NTRA | Comments (0)

Mine That Bird 2-1 favorite for Belmont Stakes

"What a perfect contrast in this soap opera of a Triple Crown season: The trainer hobbles up to the podium to talk about the horse who streaked to victory…

Jun 4 | ABC News | Comments (0)

The components of success: Mine That Bird’s rise to stardom

"Mine That Bird, one of the most successful underdogs in Thoroughbred racing history, makes his third Triple Crown start in Saturday's Belmont Stakes.…

Jun 4 | USA Today | Comments (0)

Douglas to receive tribute on Saturday

"Jockeys across North America on Saturday will pay tribute to jockey Rene Douglas in a show of support for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, the National…

Jun 4 | NTRA | Comments (0)

Mine That Bird flies into Belmont

"Mine That Bird received a travel upgrade and arrived at Belmont Park on Wednesday afternoon for his chance at a second classic victory in the Belmont…

Jun 4 | Thoroughbred Times | Comments (0)