Advocates for change in horse racing didn’t find much reason for optimism in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s legislative update held in Saratoga Springs Aug. 7. The presentation from lobbyist Greg Means, founder and principal of The Alpine Group in Washington, D.C., reviewed current legislation or proposals that pertain to racing. Included were bills covering…
After a slow start that saw the first four horses and five of the first seven fail to meet their reserve prices, the second session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale Aug. 5 saw steady momentum gains that led to the third million-dollar horse of the sale. While the number horses failing to meet…
A revamped racing program, enhancements to the customer experience, and a continued decline in equine fatality rates were among the successes trumpeted at the Aug. 6 of the board of directors of the New York Racing Association in Saratoga Springs. And in return, NYRA president and chief executive officer Christopher Kay got a bonus and…
A Tapit filly purchased for $550,000 as a weanling was briefly the star on the first night of Fasig-Tipton’s Saratoga select yearling sale Aug. 4 before she was upstaged several hips later by another Tapit filly, who topped trading at $1.15 million. Hip 81, a Tapit filly out of champion She Be Wild grabbed headlines late…
Last Friday afternoon, a group of 25 trainers, including some of New York’s top conditioners, released a statement declaring their support for a phase-out of the raceday medication furosemide by 2016. Among them are trainers, such as Todd Pletcher and Graham Motion, who have in the past advocated for use of the anti-bleeding medication. Furosemide,…
Monday, August 4 At the track… Today’s stakes races: the New York Stallion Series for horses sired by New York-based stallions. The Cab Calloway and Statue of Liberty Divisions, each worth $100,000, will be run at a mile on the turf for three-year-olds and three-year-old fillies respectively. Live-money, low roller handicapping tournament. $40 entry fee.…
When you think about super-trainers, you might think Todd Pletcher. You might think Chad Brown. You might think Bob Baffert. You probably wouldn’t think Jonathan Sheppard. But get the Pennsylvania-based trainer talked about his racing operation, and you might change your mind. Continue reading at The Racing Biz… Featured image: Photo credit NYRA/Adam Coglianese
Just about a year ago, on Saturday, Aug. 3, this city, in partnership with Saratoga Race Course, celebrated the 150th anniversary of the first Thoroughbred meet here, the culmination of years of planning and a nearly year-long series of festivities. Another anniversary, ignored but no less significant, will take place this Saturday. On Aug. 2,…
The winner’s circle at Saratoga Race Course is familiar territory for Thoroughbred owner Paul Saylor. He’s been there with his Grade 1 winning filly Fleet Indian, with a hard-knocking claimer named Phil the Grip, and with his champion Ashado, who will next month be inducted into Thoroughbred racing’s Hall of Fame. Later today, though, he’ll…
When Ramon Dominguez retired from racing last year, the reigning three-time Eclipse Award winner for outstanding jockey, one of the lines most frequently said in tribute to him was, “He’s a great rider, but he’s an even better human being.” That characterization was no surprise to the Belmont Child Care Association (on whose board I…
Brooklyn Backstretch 