Thoroughbred Times National Headlines

National Academy of Racing grads to ride at High Hope meet

Sat, 17 May 2008 06:12:07 GMT

The first graduating class of Racing Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron’s National Academy of Racing will have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills during the 42nd High Hope Steeplechase meet on Sunday at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

Steroid tests on Eight Belles negative

Fri, 16 May 2008 18:11:05 GMT

The Kentucky Horse Racing Authority’s official laboratory at Iowa State University confirmed Friday that all of the horses tested in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) and the Kentucky Oaks (G1) came back with negative medication test results.

Calder, Gulfstream to simulcast Preakness

Fri, 16 May 2008 13:17:04 GMT

Agreements have been reached that will enable fans at Calder Race Course and Gulfstream Park to watch and wager on races from Pimlico Race Course on Friday and Saturday.

Racetracks reach deal on Belmont signal

Fri, 16 May 2008 13:13:04 GMT

The Southern Racing Cooperative, which represents several Thoroughbred tracks, has reached an agreement with the New York Racing Association on the Belmont Park signal.

Congress passes Farm Bill with tax changes for horse owners

Fri, 16 May 2008 13:03:04 GMT

Congress has passed the Farm Bill, which includes favorable tax changes for horse owners under the Equine Equity Act, after months of negotiations between the United States House of Representatives and the Senate.

Eight Belles necropsy report

Thu, 15 May 2008 14:54:06 GMT

Click here to read the complete necropsy report for Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) runner-up Eight Belles. Editorial warning: Report contains graphic details.

Eight Belles necropsy finds no pre-existing bone problems

Thu, 15 May 2008 14:20:06 GMT

A necropsy of Eight Belles, who was euthanized after breaking down following her second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), found no pre-existing bone abnormalities in the filly.

New safety committee commits to action

Thu, 15 May 2008 12:19:05 GMT

In its first meeting, the members of the Jockey Club’s Thoroughbred Safety Committee emphasized putting ideas into action.

No excuses from Dutrow at Alibi Breakfast

Thu, 15 May 2008 12:08:05 GMT

Chris Lincoln, the master of ceremonies for the annual Alibi Breakfast two days before the Preakness Stakes (G1), put trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. on the spot on Thursday morning after citing the trainer's outspoken confidence prior to Big Brown's emphatic victory in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).

Derby sponsorship raises $500,000 for disabled riders

Thu, 15 May 2008 08:04:06 GMT

A Kentucky Derby (G1) day promotion facilitated by NetJets, the Jockeys’ Guild, Churchill Downs, and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association raised $500,000 to benefit the NTRA Charities-Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

Bruno waiting for Paterson's input on Aqueduct VLT operator

Thu, 15 May 2008 07:57:06 GMT

New York should name an Aqueduct gaming operator within a week to ten days, Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno said Wednesday during a visit to Saratoga Springs, New York.

New NYRA board takes shape

Thu, 15 May 2008 07:28:06 GMT

Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno (R-Brunswick) has tabbed a former Ad Hoc Racing Committee member as one of his picks for New York Racing Association’s reconstituted board of directors.

Big Brown’s owner says colt will not race at four

Wed, 14 May 2008 15:46:06 GMT

Michael Iavarone, co-President of International Equine Acquisition Holdings that owns Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Big Brown, said the colt has no chance of racing as a four-year-old.

Churchill Downs Inc. files suit against Kentucky horsemen’s groups

Wed, 14 May 2008 15:24:06 GMT

Churchill Downs Inc., Churchill Downs Technology Initiatives Co., and Calder Race Course Inc. filed suit on Wednesday against the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, and the officers of each organization in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky.

Expanded gaming supporters to gather at Preakness

Wed, 14 May 2008 12:37:06 GMT

A group that supports a November referendum on video lottery terminals at Maryland racetracks will meet with racing fans at the Preakness Stakes (G1) on Saturday at Pimlico Race Course.

Free five-cross pedigrees available on Equineline

Wed, 14 May 2008 12:20:06 GMT

Five generations of a Thoroughbred’s pedigree are now available for free on www.equineline.com, the Jockey Club Information Systems online information service.

Waldens sell Gracefield to New York couple

Wed, 14 May 2008 11:19:06 GMT

Ben Walden Jr. and his wife Elaine have sold their 310-acre Lexington farm, Gracefield, to Robert and Lisa Lourie of Setauket, New York.

Ohio horsemen deal with River Downs purse cut

Wed, 14 May 2008 08:48:06 GMT

Ohio horsemen believe a 15% purse cut at River Downs is in line with a loss in purse revenue caused by several factors.Dave Basler, executive director of the Ohio Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, said horsemen understood the need for the cut because of several factors.

Big Brown spurs increased media coverage

Wed, 14 May 2008 08:31:06 GMT

Although most of the lead up to the Preakness Stakes (G1) has focused on the breakdown of Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) runner-up Eight Belles and not the actual race winner, Big Brown, the Maryland Jockey Club has received more requests from media outlets wanting to cover Big Brown than it has received requests related to Eight Belles.

Magna to release Dragone after Preakness

Tue, 13 May 2008 20:44:06 GMT

Maryland Jockey Club President Chris Dragone has been fired and will be replaced by longtime harness racing executive Tom Chuckas, Magna Entertainment Corp. Chairman Frank Stronach confirmed.Dragone, 48, lasted less than six months in the job after being hired to replace popular former president, Lou Raffetto, whom Stronach dismissed when Magna bought out the remaining interest in Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course from a partnership led by former owner Joe De Francis.Magna hired Dragone for the Maryland Jockey Club post on the strength of his experience leading Magna-owned tracks Portland Meadows in Oregon and Great Lakes Downs in Muskeegon, Michigan.