Business
MHBA elects new officers
The board of directors of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association (MHBA) elected its new officers Monday.
Monmouth Park cancels July 25 card
Citing excessive heat, Monmouth Park track officials have canceled the track’s card for Friday, July 25.
Preakness winner Journalism heads Haskell nominations
Journalism, winner of the Preakness and runner-up in the other legs of the Triple Crown, is among 18 runners nominated to the July 19 Haskell.
June wagering handle off 7 percent
Wagering on US races was off significantly in June versus the prior year and is down nearly three percent for the year to date.
Fasig-Tipton alters 2-year-old sale protocol
Under changes announced Tuesday, breezes at Fasig-Tipton Midlantic’s 2-yearr-old sale will be untimed and riders’ use of the crop restricted.
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.
Fair Hill to get new Tapeta surface
Maryland’s Fair Hill Training Center will replace its 7-furlong Tapeta Footings track this summer, with the company’s newest iteration, Tapeta 13.
Penn National, Delaware to postpone turf stakes
Penn National will delay its Penn Mile card stakes, while Delaware Park will postpone the Cape Henlopen in the face of persistent rains.
De Francis Dash purse gets boost
The De Francis Dash and three other stakes contested on the same day will receive $25,000 purse bumps, the Maryland Jockey Club announced.
PA-bred Like a Saltshaker is Claiming Crown honoree
Like a Saltshaker’s thrilling win in last fall’s Claiming Crown Rapid Transit has earned him Claiming Crown Horse of the Year honors.
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.
