Business
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.
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.
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.
Virginia Gaming Commission bill appears dead
A bill that would have swept racing regulation out of the Virginia Racing Commission and under a new Gaming Commission appears dead.
HISA alleges conspiracy to evade injection rules
HISA has alleged that one veterinarian and 13 trainers at Penn National conspired to evade rules limiting intra-articular injections.
Rodney Jenkins remembered as consummate horseman
Trainer Rodney Jenkins, who passed away Dec. 5, was remembered by other horsemen today as a consummate horseman.
Marylander Jenna Elliott wins Eclipse Awards sweepstakes
Jenna Elliott, a 31-year-old horsewoman from Monkton, Md., has won the Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards Sweepstakes.
Inglis Digital Feb. sale to include PA-bred session
Next month’s Inglis Digital USA online horse sale will feature a selection of Pennsylvania-breds presented by the PA Horse Breeders Association.
Former KY Sen. Damon Thayer to keynote HBPA conference
Damon Thayer — who championed racing during his tenure in the Kentucky General Assembly — will be the keynote speaker at the National HBPA Conference
Rodney Jenkins celebration to be Jan. 14
A celebration of trainer Rodney Jenkins’ life, postponed because of the weather, will take place Jan. 14 at Laurel Park.
Spikezone named HBPA Claiming Horse of the Year
Spikezone, who overcame two knee surgeries to go 11-for-14 as a 5-year-old, has been named the HBPA Claiming Horse of the Year.
Colonial Downs announces Va. Derby ticket options
Colonial Downs has announced ticket options and prices for Virginia Derby day, with the Derby, now a Kentucky Derby points race, to be Mar. 15.
Charles Town cancels Wednesday, Thursday cards
With bitter cold in the forecast, Charles Town has canceled its live racing cards for Wednesday, January 8 and Thursday, January 9.
Chris Merz to head Maryland Racing Commission
Former Maryland Jockey Club racing secretary Chris Merz will be the new executive director of the Maryland Racing Commission.
