Business
Handle slumps in December as 2024 lags prior year
US wagering handle on Thoroughbred races plummeted 14% in December, as the industry suffered through another down year.
Mike Hopkins steps down after 40 years at Md. Racing Commission
Maryland Racing Commission executive director Mike Hopkins will retire after today, ending a career that spanned 40 years and many industry changes.
Pimlico to host September meet
The Maryland Racing Commission today approved a 9-day September meet at PImlico even as plans to close the track for training come into focus.
Ben’s Cat, Mountain Dew named to Maryland-bred Hall of Fame
Ben’s Cat and Mountain Dew, two horses remarkable for excellence over several years, are the newest inductees into the Maryland Thoroughbred Hall of Fame.
Off to the Races Radio: Saturday lineup
Off to the Races Radio returns Saturday, July 29, and while Maryland takes the week off, Virginia has a huge lineup.
Fasig-Tipton sale aiming at happy median
The just-completed Keeneland yearling sale saw a big jump in the median A similar move at the Fasig-Tipton sale next week would make a lot of people happy.
Penn National, Presque Isle to add days
Penn National and Presque Isle Downs will both add days after their respective requests were approved by the Pennsylvania Racing Commission.
Canter for a Cause returning to Pimlico
The popular Canter for a Cause, which benefits Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, gives amateurs a chance to ride on Pimlico’s storied oval.
Meadowlands turf meet to begin October 1
The all-turf Monmouth-at-the-Meadowlands meet is slated to begin October 1 and will include seven evening cards.
Md. Racing Commission to ban corticosteroids
The Maryland Racing Commission, acting on the advice of its health and safety committee, committed to eliminating raceday thresholds of corticosteroids.
Delaware Park cancels Thursday card
Heavy rains have forced Delaware Park to cancel its Thursday, September 23 live racing card.
Julie Krone featured on Off to the Races radio Saturday
Off to the Races Radio returns Saturday, June 20 with a great show featuring former jockey Julie Krone, the only woman to win a Triple Crown race.
Charles Town Classic shifted to August, purse cut
The Charles Town Classic and Oaks will share a date this year – August 28 – and both will go for smaller purses in 2020, the former’s reduced to $600,000.
Fasig-Tipton online bidding registration open
With coronavirus driving down permitted attendance, Fasig-Tipton is ramping up its online bidding for the upcoming 2-year-old sale.
No-Lasix 2-year-old races in Maryland prompt debate
The Stronach Group announced it would restrict 2yo races in Maryland to horses not on Lasix – which may put them at odds with horsemen and the Commission
Monmouth offering $1 million bonus for Haskell-Derby-Classic sweep
The 2020 Haskell Invitational will kick off a three-race series with a $1 million bonus, the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic being the other two.
Fasig-Tipton 2yo supplemental entries online
Fasig-Tipton announced today that 13 supplemental entries had been added to its two-year-old sale, coming up this month, and are now online.
MHBA announces election results
The Maryland Horse Breeders Association (MHBA) has announced its election results, with five people, including one incumbent, set to join 10 others on the board.
Penn National set for June 19 return
With a three-month hiatus in the books because of the coronavirus pandemic, Penn National will resume live racing on Friday, June 19.
Delaware Park announces fan restrictions
With opening day on Wednesday, Delaware Park announced the restrictions it will impose in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
