Business
Nationwide wagering handle down 4% in March
Handle was down 4% in March versus the prior year and is off by more than 3% during the year to date, according to Equibase.
Laurel Park to delay turf season launch at least a week
Laurel Park will not take entries for turf races next weekend as originally scheduled because of wet, cold weather, track officials said.
Inglis Digital February sale underway
https://youtu.be/ieWousuNld8?si=25qeGZ2FmD0g3mEp The catalog for the 2025 Inglis Digital USA February Sale is now online, featuring a diverse group of 32 offerings. Bidding is currently open...
TMJC tabs Fritz Widaman as marketing chief
The new Maryland Jockey Club (TMJC) has named racing industry veteran Fritz Widaman as its new VP of Marketing.
Preakness set for May 17, anchors 16-stake weekend
The 150th running of the Grade 1 Preakness will take place May 17 at Pimlico Race Course and will anchor a weekend filled with 16 stakes.
“Gun-shy” horsemen sound off on Laurel Park track surface
The final Maryland Racing Commission meeting of the 1/ST era of racing included discussion, once again, of the condition of the Laurel Park main track.
Colonial Downs awarded 44 live days for 2025
Colonial Downs will race 44 days in 2025, starting with a 3-day spring meet and then continuing with 41 summer racing days.
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.
Ken McPeek named “Big Sport of Turfdom”
The Turf Publicists of America have awarded trainer Ken McPeek their Big Sport of Turfdom award for his cooperation with the media.
West Saratoga to be sold in Inglis Digital December
West Saratoga, a Grade 3 winner at two and Kentucky Derby runner at three, will be sold in the December Inglis Digital sale.
Jockey Club announces Round Table speakers
The 72nd annual Jockey Club Round Table Conference will take place August 1 in Saratoga and also be livestreamed.
Colonial Downs adds makeup race day
Colonial Downs will add a day of live racing in its final week of the meet to make up for a day earlier lost to bad weather.
Jockeys’ Guild, racetracks to hold national fundraiser
The Jockeys’ Guild and racetracks across the country will raise awareness for Disability Independence Day and funds for the PDJF July 27.
MTROA seeking to add community component to Preakness
While it won’t operate Preakness weekend racing in 2025, the state-created MTROA is nevertheless hoping to build a weeklong celebratoin around it.
Colonial Downs cancels July 12 card
Citing “severe weather and excessive rainfall,” Colonial Downs has canceled its card for Friday, July 12.
Dashing Beauty time revised
The time for Sunday’s Dashing Beauty Stakes at Delaware Park has been revised downwards after questions were raised.
Delaware Park postpones July 10 card
WIth extremely hot weather in the forecast for Wednesday, July 10, Delaware Park has postponed its July 10 card to July 11.
Fifth Circuit again rules HISA unconstitutional
For the second time, the US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled HISA unconstitutional, this time because of its enforcement mechanism.
Delaware Park shifts July 6 card to July 8
Saturday’s Delaware Oaks day card at Delaware Park has been canceled because of the heat and will be run instead July 8.
