Business
Nine are finalists for Maryland Thoroughbred Hall of Fame
Nine horses, including Eclipse Award winners and classic victors, have been named as finalists for the Maryland Thoroughbred Hall of Fame.
MHBA elects new officers
The board of directors of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association (MHBA) elected its new officers Monday.
At Fair Hill, “partying like it’s 1934”
The news that Fair Hill would, for the first time since 2019, host a day of live racing has organizers in an upbeat mood.
Preakness winner Journalism heads Haskell nominations
Journalism, winner of the Preakness and runner-up in the other legs of the Triple Crown, is among 18 runners nominated to the July 19 Haskell.
June wagering handle off 7 percent
Wagering on US races was off significantly in June versus the prior year and is down nearly three percent for the year to date.
Penn Mile to be delayed another week
The Grade 3 Penn Mile, originally scheduled for May 30 but pushed back for three weeks, now will be delayed to June 27 because of weather issues.
DRF Bets acquired by 1/ST
1/ST, former owners of Laurel and Pimlico and current owners of Xpressbet and 1/ST Bet, has acquired DRF Bets, the companies announced.
Wagering handle up slightly in May
Wagering handle rose slightly in May versus May 2024, though for the year to date it continues to trail last year.
Fair Hill to get new Tapeta surface
Maryland’s Fair Hill Training Center will replace its 7-furlong Tapeta Footings track this summer, with the company’s newest iteration, Tapeta 13.
Penn National, Delaware to postpone turf stakes
Penn National will delay its Penn Mile card stakes, while Delaware Park will postpone the Cape Henlopen in the face of persistent rains.
De Francis Dash purse gets boost
The De Francis Dash and three other stakes contested on the same day will receive $25,000 purse bumps, the Maryland Jockey Club announced.
Delaware Park cancels opening day card
With heavy rain in the area, Delaware Park canceled its Wednesday opener and instead will kick off its season Saturday, May 17.
Junior Alvarado sounds off on hefty Derby crop fine
“Extremely ridiculous,” jockey Junior Alvarado called a $62,000 fine he received for excessive crop use aboard Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby.
New Maryland Jockey Club board named
The board of directors that will govern the new Maryland Jockey Club was chosen by the Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority Friday.
Public Works Board approves Pimlico Plus expenditures
Maryland’s Board of Public Works approved nearly $19 million in expenditures to advance the Pimlico Plus plan – but not without trepidation.
Preakness: $100,000 trainer bonus returns
For a ninth straight year, $100,000 in bonus money is on the table for trainers that run at least five horses in stakes races Preakness weekend.
April wagering handle lags 2024 number
April saw wagering handle on US races that was more than 5% below the April 2024 mark, as the industry continues to scuffle.
First horses arrive as Monmouth Park stable opens
With its 50-day meet kicking off May 10, Monmouth Park’s stable area welcomed the first horses Saturday morning.
Frustrations laid bare at MTROA meeting
In its first public meeting since the state legislature voted for its demise, members of Maryland’s MTROA sparred as frustrations were laid bare.
Smarty Jones leads new Hall of Fame inductees
Pennsylvania-bred Smarty Jones heads up the list of seven inductees to the national racing Hall of Fame.
