The just-completed Delaware Park meet was like an old spaghetti western, says Doug McCoy: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Minus Clint Eastwood, of course.
Anyone can see that the Thoroughbred industry faces challenging times. But that uncertainty feels a lot different to those who work in the racing industry.
Frustrated by the slow pace of testing and spurred by horsemen’s consistency concerns, the Delaware Racing Commission voted to change its drug testing lab.
Recent positive drug tests against widely respected trainers have Delaware horsemen worried about new medication policies and the state’s new testing lab.
Delaware’s horsemen are increasingly frustrated by hold-ups in finalizing drug tests and releasing purse moneys, with some purses held up almost two months.
Delaware Park and the Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association will extend their contract, which means 81 days of live racing annually through 2016.
With gaming increasing around the region, Delaware Park, one of the first racinos, faces challenges as it opens its 2014 season.