Business
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.
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.
Preak Weeks return to help Baltimore businesses
1/ST and The Maryland Jockey Club announced the return of its Preak Weeks initiative to spotlight Baltimore businesses.
Colonial Downs unveils condition book, stakes sked
An expanded live racing schedule, featuring higher overnight purses and more stakes races, are on tap at Colonial Downs this summer.
OwnerView webinar focuses on owner relations
The second installment in the 2025 OwnerView webinar series discussed the efforts racetrack executives make to ensure they are keeping “Owners First.”
Jill Byrne tabbed as new VTA executive director
Jill Byrne will take the reins as the new executive director of the Virginia Thoroughbred Association, representing breeders.
Md. Racing Commission OKs Maryland-Virginia stakes
The Maryland Racing Commission signed off on a controversial proposal to blend Maryland-restricted and Virginia-restricted stakes Wednesday.
Maryland to spike Racetrack Operating Authority
Maryland budget negotiators on Friday unexpectedly decided to sunset the state’s Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority.
