Business
MJC: Ken Brown retiring as track superintendent
Maryland Jockey Club track superintendent Ken Brown has retired effective Dec. 1, with longtime crew member Danny Finke the interim replacement.
Equibase remote charting initiative to start at Charles Town
Equibase is looking to centralize much of its chart calling and creation in Kentucky, and Charles Town will be the first track with no on-site chart caller.
Busy Saturday on Off to the Races Radio
Off to the Races Radio returns Saturday, April 29 with its Maryland and Virginia editions Triple Crown chatter, the Laurel Park situation, and more.
Forte installed as favorite for Preakness future wager
Likely Kentucky Derby favorite Forte has been made the morning line favorite in the first-ever Preakness Future Wager, which kicks off April 28.
“Secretariat’s Legacy” author to speak
Patricia McQueen, author of “Secretariat’s Legacy,” which traces Big Red’s offspring and their descendants, will speak at the Md. Horse Library May 18.
Jockey Club to produce American Racing Manual
The Jockey Club will take over production of the annual American Racing Manual, starting with the 2021 edition.
Monmouth Park to have 12:15 weekend post
Monmouth Park will host twilight racing on Fridays and switch to a 12:15 first post for Saturdays and Sundays in the meet which begins May 28.
MJC will suspend work-and-go Preakness week
For an eight-day period around the Preakness, the Maryland Jockey Club will not allow Laurel-based horses to work-and-go at Pimlico.
Laurel Park to close temporarily after Preakness
Horsemen will be forced to vacate Laurel Park following the Preakness, horsemen learned Friday, and may not be allowed back until July.
High winds force Pimlico cancellation
With high winds, including gusts up to 60 miles per hour, the Maryland Jockey Club was forced to cancel its April 30 card after three races.
MATCH Series set for mid-May return
The MATCH Series will return for 2021 in mid-May at Pimlico. The Series this year will involve Maryland and Virginia only.
Colonial Downs to race 18 days in 2020
Fresh off its first season in six years, Colonial Downs will race 18 days – up from 15 – in 2020 and include MATCH Series races for the first time.
US House extends racehorse tax break
The House of Representatives voted this week to extend the 3-year depreciation for racehorses for tax purposes; it now goes to the Senate.
Jockey Club to continue studying reducing stallion books
The Jockey Club announced it would continue its study of reducing stallion book size, saying it hopes to protect the breed’s health and welfare.
Fasig-Tipton, Maximum Security, and more: The week in social media
The Fasig-Tipton sale went big, Maximum Security won the Cigar Mile, and the final Parx stake of 2019 highlight the week in social media.
Jockeys’ Guild seeks bigger role in industry future
At its annual assembly earlier this week, the Jockeys’ Guild expressed frustration that riders’ input is not being considered as safety decisions are made.
Besecker dispersal powers boffo Fasig-Tipton sale
With the addition of nearly 100 horses from the Joe Besecker dispersal, the Fasig-Tipton Mixed Sale shattered records Tuesday in Timonium.
Maryland Juvenile Futurity proves productive – in sales ring
Two horses that ran in Saturday’s Maryland Juvenile Futurity – winner Laddie Liam and fourth-place finisher Mine Not Mine – topped the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Mixed Sale.
Horsemen: Racing protesters lack knowledge, common sense
While a small group of protesters gathered outside Laurel Park Saturday to condemn racing, horsemen had a message of their own.
Delaware commission speeds up Pecoraro shockwave appeal
Delaware’s racing commission will hear trainer Anthony Pecoraro’s appeal of a suspension for shockwaving a horse in January, rather than April.
