
Business

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.
MHBA Yearling Show purse premium winners announced
Horses that participate in the annual MHBA Yearling Show can earn purse premiums at two and three. Here are the 2024 winners.
Maryland OTBs push for historical horse racing machines
Saying that OTBs are a “failing industry” and retail sports betting a failure, too, Maryland OTBs are pushing for historical horse racing machines.
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.
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.
Maryland Jockey Club to race 120 days in 2025
The Maryland Jockey Club will race 120 days in 2025, with seven more days run at Timonium, under a slate approved by the Racing Commission Monday.
Inglis Digital October sale underway
More than 65 horses are entered in the Inglis Digital October 2024 sale, including a stakes-placed runner in foal to Justify.
Maryland Horse Forum report released
Organizers have released a Final Report from the daylong 2024 Maryland Horse Forum, including notes, observations, and recommendations.
MHBA to host Handicapping 101 session
The Maryland Horse Breeders Association (MHBA) will host a free Handicapping 101 event October 28 to get you ready for Breeders’ Cup.
Big WVBC gets Arnaldo Bocachica jockey of the week
With five stakes wins Saturday on WVBC night at Charles Town, jockey Arnaldo Bocachica earned Jockeys’ Guild jockey of the week honors.
WV Breeders Classics publishes 2nd volume of history
West Virginia Breeders Classics Ltd., announced Oct. 7 that it had published second volume of its history.
Cathy Schmidt to receive Joe Kelly Unsung Hero Award
Cathy Schmidt, founder and Executive Director of Chesapeake Therapeutic Riding, has been selected as the 2024 Joe Kelly Unsung Hero Award recipient.
Maryland-breds fared well at Fasig-Tipton yearling sale
The average value of Maryland-breds sold at Tuesday’s Fasig-Tipton yearling sale was up over 8% from 2023, helping the sale to hold its own.
Smaller Fasig-Tipton yearling sale topped by Maryland-bred
A slimmed down Fasig-Tipton Midlantic fall yearling sale saw the average hold steady and the median rise and was topped by a Maryland-bred filly.