Business
Emergency management camp group visits Laurel Park
HERoes on the HERizon, a county-sponsored emergency management camp for girls and young women, visited Laurel Park recently.
Delaware Park cancels July 25 card
With the heat index projected to top 105, Delaware Park has canceled its Friday, July 25 live racing card.
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.
Colonial: Claiming Crown preview set for Aug. 21
Colonial Downs will for the first time host a Claiming Crown Preview day on Aug. 21 featuring eight races run under starter allowance conditions.
Journalism tabbed as Preakness future wager favorite
Journalism, the likely favorite in the Kentucky Derby, is the 8-1 morning line favorite in the Preakness future wager, which opens April 25-May 3.
HISA issues equine health advisory
The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has issued an equine health advisory regarding fatal proximal forelimb fractures.
Laurel: “Preakness Preview Day” handle robust
Laurel’s “Preakness Preview Day” wagering handle was nearly double its best day of 2025 to date.
Charles Town to race April 23
After losing most of two cards to weather last weekend, Charles Town Races will run an additional night of live racing April 23.
MTHA endorses change to claiming price rule
The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (MTHA) on Wednesday endorsed a less restrictive claiming rule than currently in place.
Virginia Derby field taking shape
The field for the March 15 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs, offering 50 Kentucky Derby points to the winner, is starting to take shape.
National wagering down in February
Wagering on U.S. races fell 8% in February versus the prior year, as the racing industry continues to struggle amid a changing landscape.
Jockey Club offers breeders new info service
The new service provided by The Jockey Club will provide breeders a complimentary updated race record for Thoroughbreds foaled in 2025 and later.
Maryland modifies Pick 5 configuration
The Maryland Racing Commission today approved both the early and late Pick 5 wagers having carryover potential.
Documentary focuses on improbable Smarty Jones journey
With Smarty Jones now a finalist for the national racing Hall of Fame, a free documentary chronicles his improbable tale.
Virginia Derby gets 89 nominations
The March 15 Virginia Derby – for the first time a Kentucky Derby points race – received 89 nominations, while the Virginia Oaks got 57.
Book’em Danno repeats as NJ-bred horse of the year
Book’em Danno, a Grade 1 winner and earner of $800,000 in 2024, has been named New Jersey-bred Horse of the Year for the second year in a row.
Maryland-bred champions announced
Future Is Now and Post Time are the big winners among Maryland-bred champions, announced this week, with the horse of the year still to be revealed.
Travis Stone to announce Virginia Derby meet
Churchill Downs track announcer Travis Stone will call the action at Colonial Downs during next month’s Virginia Derby mini-meet.
