HRI

Preakness Stakes 133

Kentucky Derby 134

HRI Bloggers

Race Tracks

Track Press Releases

Racing Newcomers

Champions

2007 Feature Events

Thoroughbred Races

West Coast News

Zito comes to defense of racing on dirt tracks

"Trainer Nick Zito believes someone needs to take up for America's dirt tracks -- and by extension American racing. Yesterday, he did. Zito held an informal…

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

Relying on the Horse, but Not Protecting It

"Racing is having too many casualties with the endangered overbred specialists it sends out to run in order that people may gamble. The industry certainly…

May 15 | NY Times | Comments (0)

TODAY AT HOLLYWOOD PARK

"Post Time 1:20 p.m. Race 1 - 1 1/16th miles, Purse $36,000, Claiming $40,000, 4-year-olds and up. Gallardo - Beaten chalk had a good trip in last, but…

May 14 | Las Vegas Review Journal | Comments (0)

Barbaro’s Little Brother Nearly Ready to Run

"The bay colt Nicanor has never been tested and has never raced, but he is already special. His every start, even his every move, will be followed and…

May 14 | NY Times | Comments (0)

World’s leading sire Storm Cat retired

"Leading American sire Storm Cat, for years acknowledged as the most expensive stallion in the world, has been retired at 25. Still in good health, Storm…

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

Welcome to heaven

"Tired of 20-horse fields? Tired of millionaire owners? Billionaire owners? Tired of post parades longer than Fourth of July parades? Tired of boxing numbers…

May 13 | ESPN | Comments (0)

Aided by Derby, track handle sets record

"A record Kentucky Derby day handle of more than $4.25 million helped propel Turf Paradise to a 5.5 percent increase in handle from a season ago. All-sources…

May 13 | Arizona Republic | Comments (0)

Breeding, betting and dirt at issue in horse racing reform

"While racing's leaders have been working for more than a decade to create safer racing surfaces and resolve controversial medication issues, those in…

May 12 | USA Today | Comments (0)

Horse Racing: A Fix That Can Work

"He unwittingly shattered a tradition that could be the best thing to happen to horses in decades. Big Brown became the first horse in history to win the…

May 12 | Newsblaze | Comments (0)

Final season ends

"In the long list of horse racing clichés there are none to express the mood at Bay Meadows as it marked its final day of its final regular season Sunday.…

May 12 | San Mateo County Times | Comments (0)

Racing seeks remedies

"The morning after the Kentucky Derby was run, a nice man named Larry Jones stood outside his barn on the Churchill Downs backstretch. He was pleasant,…

May 11 | Albany Times Union | Comments (0)

PETA shows it has little horse sense

"An Associated Press article reports that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals called for the suspension of jockey Gabriel Saez over the breakdown…

May 11 | Albany Times Union | Comments (0)

Breakdowns a dark side of horse racing

"Horsemen say thoroughbred racing hasn’t gotten more dangerous for the four-legged athletes. But racing fans are still shocked and saddened when a horse…

May 11 | Schenectady Gazette | Comments (0)

Breeding thoroughbreds: Is durability possible?

"Could this country's thoroughbred breeding industry produce more durable horses? "It would be possible - I don't think it's going to happen," said Alan…

May 11 | Philadelphia Inquirer | Comments (0)

Thoroughbred industry racing to find solutions to fatal breakdowns

"The public's revulsion over the high-profile breakdowns within thoroughbred racing has reached a crisis point that demands a strong and determined response…

May 11 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

NTRA to refocus on safety

"A racing industry group held a board meeting Friday to discuss horse safety with the group's president, Alex Waldrop, reflecting that in the past, "perhaps…

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

What’s wrong with race horses?

"It is a frame built inherently for speed -- long and lean with dynamic quarters and hard, polished legs. At its best, it can produce athletic feats that…

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

Horse safety board created

"Responding to the breakdown of the filly Eight Belles after Saturday's Kentucky Derby, the Jockey Club -- the official registrar of thoroughbred pedigrees…

May 9 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

RICHARD ENG: PETA official compares horse racing to dogfighting

"Newkirk wrote to Clinton that her support of horse racing "makes you culpable in her (Eight Belles) destruction." Newkirk added, "Attending the Derby…

May 9 | Las Vegas Review Journal | Comments (0)

Bold action sought on safety issues

"As a scientist who studies why horses break their legs, Dr. Wayne McIlwraith is glad to see industry groups meeting to study what can be done to improve…

May 9 | Lexington Herald-Leader | Comments (0)

Jockey Club announces equine health study

"The Jockey Club, the registrar of thoroughbred pedigrees in North America, announced a committee today in the wake of Eight Belles’ death after Saturday’s…

May 8 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

PETA out of bounds on this

"But to suggest some of the things PETA is suggesting, including calling for the suspension of jockey Gabriel Saez, who did nothing wrong and was as heart…

May 7 | Cincinnati Enquirer | Comments (0)

Eight Belles: PETA Spokeswoman Can’t Answer Mike Tirico’s Questions

"Nicole Matthews, a spokeswoman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, was on Mike Tirico's ESPN Radio show yesterday afternoon. And when she…

May 6 | AOL Sports | Comments (0)

PETA calls for changes in racing

"In the aftermath of the death of Eight Belles, the filly that finished second in the Kentucky Derby, the debate heightened Sunday on the safety of horse…

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

Racehorse hedge fund considered

"Wall Street can be risky, and so can the racetrack. International Equine Acquisitions Holdings hopes to form a publicly traded company and a hedge fund,…

May 1 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

A sad saga: horse racing in Las Vegas

"Las Vegas Park might have become one of the premier Kentucky Derby prep races. Maybe Big Brown or Z Fortune would have raced here in a Las Vegas Handicap…

Apr 29 | Las Vegas Sun | Comments (0)

First Saturday continues run at box office

"The First Saturday in May, the behind-the-scenes documentary about participants in the 2006 Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Yum! Brands, made a per-screen…

Apr 25 | Thoroughbred Times | Comments (0)

Two Step Salsa gives turf a test at Hollywood Park

"Two Step Salsa, who is undefeated in two starts, will try the turf for the first time Friday night in the $75,000 Harry Henson Stakes at Hollywood Park.…

Apr 25 | Los Angeles Times | Comments (0)

It’s hardly a fair debate over turf wars

"So much for that fair and open discussion that was advocated when the synthetic tracks made their Southland debut during Hollywood Park's 2006 autumn…

Apr 25 | Daily Breeze | Comments (0)

La Tee back on Hollywood Park turf course for Wilshire Handicap

"La Tee, who is undefeated on the Hollywood Park turf course, will look for her fourth career victory in the $100,000 Wilshire Handicap on Wednesday. A…

Apr 23 | Los Angeles Times | Comments (0)

Nafzger races his way from track to a plaque

"Instead, Nafzger, 66, was stunned speechless when told he was being inducted into the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame on Aug. 4 in Saratoga Springs,…

Apr 22 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

Bay Meadows project wins OK

"The redevelopment of Bay Meadows Race Track into homes, shops and offices can officially begin after the San Mateo City Council unanimously approved the…

Apr 22 | Oakland Tribune | Comments (0)

Finish line in sight for Bay Meadows

"As horse racing at Bay Meadows nears the homestretch, City Council members Monday night approved the plans for what the land will be used for after the…

Apr 22 | Examiner.com | Comments (0)

Busy Galagule is back on track at Los Alamitos

"Galagule will look for her third win in less than a month when she takes on six other Arabians in the seventh race Sunday night at Los Alamitos. Owned…

Apr 20 | Los Angeles Times | Comments (0)

A Stoli Mate to compete in Kaweah Bar Handicap

"A Stoli Mate, who won the Los Alamitos Winter Championship on Feb. 23, will drop out of the Grade I into the $25,000 Kaweah Bar Handicap on Saturday night.…

Apr 19 | Los Angeles Times | Comments (0)

O’Neill hasn’t given up on winning meet

"Doug O'Neill might fall short in his bid for a fourth consecutive Santa Anita training title, but he's not going down without a fight. The 39-year-old…

Apr 18 | Daily Breeze | Comments (0)

Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to Hold New Owner Seminar

"The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) announced April 16 that it will conduct a New Owner Seminar on Thursday, May 1, at the Kentucky…

Apr 18 | TheHorse.com | Comments (0)

Breeders’ Cup Challenge spreads to Europe

"The Breeders’ Cup Challenge will expand to Europe for the first time this year with three “Win and You’re In” races at Ascot on September 27.…

Apr 16 | Thoroughbred Times | Comments (0)

Lightmyfirebaby rolls along on a hot day in Santa Anita

"On a day when the temperature again exceeded 90 degrees at Santa Anita, it was apropos that the sire Unusual Heat continued his phenomenal run of winners…

Apr 14 | Los Angeles Times | Comments (0)

NTRA Reports Revenue Surplus of $3.1M

"The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has largely credited its NTRA Advantage program for a $3.1-million revenue surplus for 2007. The NTRA board…

Apr 12 | BloodHorse.com | Comments (0)

Horse Racing Site On Wobbly Legs

"Horse betting site Youbet.com Inc. is limping painfully down what may be the home stretch. One business it acquired has put the company $15 million in…

Apr 12 | Los Angeles Business Journal | Comments (0)

Racetrack Fatality Ratio Changes

"The number of catastrophic injuries on dirt tracks has gone up while the corresponding number on synthetic surfaces has gone down, according to a revision…

Apr 12 | TheHorse.com | Comments (0)

LaPenta to Pyro: Watch Out in Blue Grass

"Watch out, Pyro. Robert LaPenta has a plan to win to Saturday’s Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I). The key is Stevil, LaPenta’s 30-1 morning line longshot…

Apr 11 | BloodHorse.com | Comments (0)

Kip Deville comes back for more at Keeneland

"Kip Deville, who hasn't been out since winning the Breeders' Cup Mile on Oct. 27 at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., will try to repeat his title Friday…

Apr 11 | Los Angeles Times | Comments (0)

Big Brown still has Pyro to worry about

"Excuse me if I'm not ready to jump on the Big Brown bandwagon quite yet. Three races, won by a combined margin of 29 lengths, is enough for some people…

Apr 11 | Los Angeles Daily News | Comments (0)

Colonel John ‘great’ after Santa Anita Derby; Bob Black Jack possible for Kentucky

"COLONEL JOHN (Tiznow) and BOB BLACK JACK (Stormy Jack), the respective top two finishers from Saturday's Santa Anita Derby (G1), were both reported to…

Apr 7 | Brisnet | Comments (0)

Voice, and a track, trailing off

"SEVENTY-THREE years ago, track announcer Joe Hernandez flicked on the microphone high atop the grandstand at Santa Anita and called the first running…

Apr 6 | Los Angeles Daily News | Comments (0)

Santa Anita Derby horses are racing for Kentucky

"With the $450,000 prize for first place comes an almost guaranteed invitation to the Run for the Roses, which is limited to the 20 horses with the most…

Apr 5 | Los Angeles Times | Comments (0)

Yankee Bravo faces toughest challenge

"Yankee Bravo already has proved to his owners he can run well on an artificial surface, dirt and turf. Now the 3-year-old son of Yankee Gentleman can…

Apr 5 | Long Beach Press-Telegram | Comments (0)

Track clinic serves nearly 2,000 horse workers

"Nearly 2,000 horse workers have hands-on contact with a nearly equal number of horses that animate the track's racing season, in addition to 500 employees…

Apr 4 | Arizona Republic | Comments (0)

Multi-Million Dollar Purse Winner Exposes Horse Racing’s Dirty Secret

"Superstar jockey Shane Sellers seemed to have it all: turning pro in the sport - horse racing - he loved so much as kid, winning over 4,000 races and…

Apr 3 | Newsblaze | Comments (0)

Colonel John Works for Santa Anita Derby

"Sham Stakes winner Colonel John, one of the favorites for the April 5 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) and a major Triple Crown contender, worked six furlongs…

Apr 1 | BloodHorse.com | Comments (0)

California passes new claim rule

"The California Horse Racing Board on Thursday approved a rule change that, subject to final approval, would allow a horse returning from a layoff of 180…

Mar 29 | CBS Sportsline | Comments (0)

NTRA president calls for uniform rules

"National Thoroughbred Racing Association President Alex Waldrop told racing regulators Tuesday that uniform rules will help horse racing gain favor in…

Mar 27 | Thoroughbred Times | Comments (0)

Autism Awareness: Better than winning at 62-1 odds

"Johnny Taboada is a man with a horse and a cause. Right now, neither are in great shape. But, oh my, what might have been. The Kentucky Derby is a month…

Mar 25 | Los Angeles Times | Comments (0)

Sheikh ‘was Prepared to Pay $60m’ for Horse

"Their story has Darley, Sheik Mohammed's bloodstock operation, sending an agent to inquire about the price of a promising juvenile in America. When the…

Mar 20 | Buzzle.com | Comments (0)

Jockey Bejarano is out at least three weeks

"It was a frightening sight. A horse that moments earlier was leading a race lay dead on the track, the victim of a heart attack, and his jockey, 25-year-old…

Mar 15 | Los Angeles Times | Comments (0)

Another hearing for Bay Meadows

"Seven years in the making, the plans for the first major chunk of the Bay Meadows Phase II development will have to go through at least one more vetting…

Mar 13 | Oakland Tribune | Comments (0)

Summit to feature panel on synthetic tracks

"An expert panel of racetrack superintendents will discuss their experiences in working with various synthetic surfaces to highlight the second Welfare…

Mar 12 | Thoroughbred Times | Comments (0)

Taking stock of race syndicates a scary proposition

"Name the racetrack conglomerate that was scorned this week by The Motley Fool stock advice column listing its "5 Deathbed Stocks" for 2008? One comment…

Mar 7 | Las Vegas Review Journal | Comments (0)

Financially strapped county fair trims racing

"The Sonoma County Fair is abandoning its experiment with a third week of horse racing as part of a plan to dig itself out of a financial hole made deeper…

Mar 4 | Santa Rosa Press Democrat | Comments (0)

CHRB Hears World Poker Tour Concept

"Could the folks who invented the World Poker Tour do the same for horse racing? If so, deal California in. At its Feb. 28 meeting in Arcadia, the state…

Feb 29 | BloodHorse.com | Comments (0)

Jockey Russell Baze is horse racing’s forgotten leader

"Russell Baze will fly down from the Bay Area tonight, try to guide the 5-1 shot to victory in the $1-million race the next day, and then quietly return…

Feb 29 | Los Angeles Times | Comments (0)

Smaller Big Cap remains good bet

"In years past, the best handicap horses on the planet would be in Arcadia, Calif., on Saturday for the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap. Not anymore. With…

Feb 29 | Las Vegas Review Journal | Comments (0)

Large field entered for Santa Anita Handicap

"Saturday's running of the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap has drawn 14 older thoroughbreds, the maximum allowed to start. The 71st edition of the 1 1/8…

Feb 28 | Seattle Post-Intelligencer | Comments (0)

Breeders’ Cup takes a giant step backward

"OK, so I don't expect a bunch of bra-burning fillies to line up for the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic, formerly known as the $2 million Distaff. But if…

Feb 28 | Lexington Herald-Leader | Comments (0)

CHRB to hand over necropsy information

"The California Horse Racing Board has agreed to pay California horse owner Jerry Jamgotchian $19,440 in attorney�s fees and costs, and a Los Angeles County…

Feb 27 | Thoroughbred Times | Comments (0)

CHRB Names New Executive Director

"Kirk Breed, a horse racing lobbyist in Sacramento for the past 18 years, has been named executive director of the California Horse Racing Board, it was…

Feb 26 | BloodHorse.com | Comments (0)

Santa Anita considers a return to dirt

"Santa Anita is considering replacing its synthetic track with a dirt surface later this year, track president Ron Charles said over the weekend. Charles…

Feb 25 | CBS Sportsline | Comments (0)

Santa Anita on the mend

"When Santa Anita officials puff their chests out real proud and advertise their track as "The Great Race Place," they're not just referring to its ambience…

Feb 22 | San Gabriel Valley Tribune | Comments (0)

Synthetic surfaces stir lively debate

"Opinions on the merits of synthetic tracks were sharply divided among trainers who spoke at a one-day conference on the surfaces at Santa Anita on Wednesday,…

Feb 21 | CBS Sportsline | Comments (0)

CHRB Discussion on Synthetic Track is ‘Too Little, Too Late’

"The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) has called a special meeting to discuss a mandate approved last year forcing California horse tracks to install…

Feb 20 | California Chronicle | Comments (0)

Steven’s Being looks to repeat

"A winner in his first two-turn race over turf, Steven's Being will be looking for a repeat in the seventh race Wednesday at Santa Anita. Trained by Neil…

Feb 20 | Los Angeles Times | Comments (0)

Cheroot drives to upset victory at Santa Anita

"Cheroot, a 28-1 longshot, prevailed in a blanket finish, triggering a three-day pick six carry-over of $1,269,223 for today's holiday racing program.…

Feb 18 | Los Angeles Times | Comments (0)

Santa Anita feels great after a shower

"What a difference a day makes -- and a little rain. Santa Anita's revamped synthetic track was again getting rave reviews Thursday. On Wednesday, concern…

Feb 15 | Los Angeles Times | Comments (0)

Santa Anita’s perfect in scheme to ruin racing

"Santa Anita has lost 11 days of racing this year because of a synthetic surface that, to be kind, has been a mess -- the Breeders' Cup announcement, ironically…

Feb 15 | Fort Worth Star-Telegram | Comments (0)

Princess Amelie tries turf in follow-up

"Princess Amelie, an impressive winner in her debut Dec. 9 at Hollywood Park, will try something different in the eighth race today at Santa Anita. A 4-year-old…

Feb 14 | Los Angeles Times | Comments (0)

Georgie Boy, and track, get good reviews

"It was a good day at the track for a lot of people -- and a few horses -- on a beautiful Sunday at Santa Anita. Georgie Boy, ridden by Rafael Bejarano,…

Feb 11 | Los Angeles Times | Comments (0)

After Santa Anita coup, Del Mar has its eye on 2011 Breeders’ Cup

"The big announcement Thursday was that Santa Anita had been chosen to host the Breeders' Cup again in 2009, making it the first venue to host two in a…

Feb 9 | San Diego Union Tribune | Comments (0)

Bay Meadows nearing end

"When seasons opened at Bay Meadows in the recent past, track President F. Jack Liebau sounded optimistic that racing would continue there even in the…

Feb 8 | San Francisco Chronicle | Comments (0)

Voters deal horse racing another blow

"The passing of Propositions 94-97, which give four Indian tribes a stronger hold on gambling in the state, was a blow to Hollywood Park, but not a knockout…

Feb 8 | Los Angeles Times | Comments (0)

Season starts at Bay Meadows

"The final season at the Bay Meadows race track began Wednesday under partly sunny skies. Track officials won't rule out the possibility that racing will…

Feb 7 | Oakland Tribune | Comments (0)

Valenzuela’s return to race riding delayed

"Patrick Valenzuela�s return to race riding has been delayed until next week. The 45-year-old Valenzuela, whose conditional license to ride in California…

Feb 7 | Thoroughbred Times | Comments (0)

Santa Anita Cancels Racing Feb. 8

"Santa Anita Park announced Feb. 7 that live racing will be canceled Feb. 8 due to a one-day delay in the last phase of its main track renovation. Racing…

Feb 7 | BloodHorse.com | Comments (0)

Soggy Santa Anita cancels racing again because of rain

"Santa Anita canceled racing Friday for the fifth day this month because of wet conditions on a synthetic track that has had drainage problems since its…

Jan 25 | MSNBC | Comments (0)

Go Between wins $1 million Sunshine Millions Classic

"Go Between won the $1 million Classic in an upset Saturday, giving trainer Bill Mott his third victory of the day and helping Florida-bred horses defeat…

Jan 25 | Yahoo! Sports | Comments (0)

War Pass Is Juvenile Champion

"War Pass capped off his perfect season Jan. 21 with championship honors as the leading 2-year-old male. The son of Cherokee Run, out of Vue (by Mr. Prospector),…

Jan 23 | BloodHorse.com | Comments (0)

Curlin named Horse of the Year

"Preakness and Breeders' Cup Classic winner Curlin swept Horse of the Year and 3-year-old male honors at the 37th annual Eclipse Awards last night."

Jan 22 | Baltimore Sun | Comments (0)

Eclipse ceremony tonight

"A crowd of more than 625 is expected for tonight's Eclipse Awards at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. The awards, which…

Jan 21 | Louisville Courier-Journal | Comments (0)

Baze rides 4 winners, just 14 shy of 10,000

"Russell Baze, who is closing in on career victory No. 10,000, rode four winners at Golden Gate Fields on Sunday. The winningest jockey in the history…

Jan 21 | Contra Costa Times | Comments (0)

McCann’s Mojave back to defend Sunshine Millions Classic

"Defending champion McCann's Mojave will take on 11 challengers in Saturday's sixth annual Sunshine Millions Classic at Santa Anita Park. The $1 million…

Jan 20 | Miami Herald | Comments (0)

Nakatani breaks collarbone in accident

"Jockey Corey Nakatani broke his right collarbone yesterday while riding a horse during training at Hollywood Park. Doctors estimated the 37-year-old rider…

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

Champs Elysees tries again at Santa Anita

"Champs Elysees, who won two of 11 in Europe, will try for his first win in the U.S. in the $150,000 San Marcos on Saturday at Santa Anita."

Jan 19 | Los Angeles Times | Comments (0)

Dimples First Dash tries for consecutive victories

"Dimples First Dash, who ended an extended losing streak with a win Dec. 13, will try for consecutive scores in the 10th race Saturday night at Los Alamitos."…

Jan 19 | Los Angeles Times | Comments (0)

Nofishinonafullmoon is back in action

"Nofishinonafullmoon, who won three of four starts in 2006, returns to action in the ninth race Friday night at Los Alamitos."

Jan 18 | Los Angeles Times | Comments (0)

Instant Action looks to bring some for new connections

"After finishing second in three of his first four starts, Instant Action has become a regular visitor to the winner's circle."

Jan 18 | Los Angeles Times | Comments (0)

Storm Machine makes American debut

"Storm Machine, an Argentina-bred who has won five of 12, will make his first start in the U.S. in the sixth race today at Santa Anita."

Jan 17 | Los Angeles Times | Comments (0)

Issues with surface bring changes at Santa Anita

"Santa Anita is changing its racing surface, hoping the additions will make the track easier on horses and hold up better in different weather."
…

Jan 17 | Baltimore Sun | Comments (0)

Santa Anita is changing its racing surface, hoping the additions will make the track easier on horse

"Why Czech Rumors, who lost her rider when the even-money favorite in her first race against winners Nov. 15, will make her first start of 2008 in the…

Jan 16 | Los Angeles Times | Comments (0)

Wait A While doesn’t in the new year

"After winning only two of six races last year, the 5-year-old mare takes the San Gorgonio Handicap, improving to 2-0 at Santa Anita and 7-3 on grass."…

Jan 15 | Los Angeles Times | Comments (0)