section Ray’s Paddock

Ray’s Paddock

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Vet Caught Injecting Cibelli Horse Suspended 90 Days, Agrees to Cooperate

The veterinarian who injected a Jane Cibelli-trained horse on the day it was to race at Tampa Bay Downs on Jan. 27 has been suspended 90 days as a result of a stipulated agreement with the state of Florida’s Division … Continue reading

Are California Horsemen Obsessed With Lasix?

How important is Lasix to Thoroughbred owners and trainers in California? Important enough for the board of directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California to say “no thanks” to a 2014 Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita Park unless the drug … Continue reading

‘Racing is Cool’: America’s Best Racing Tour Exceeding Expectations

You might have caught a glimpse of America’s Best Racing’s brightly-colored RV at the Kentucky Derby, or stopped by the display to pilot an Equicizer along with other revelers on The Hill at Keeneland’s April meet. But if you’re not … Continue reading

The Flying Orb: Hope, Disappointment, and the Triple Crown

In the days leading up to Saturday’s Preakness, Orb seemed to morph from Kentucky Derby winner into a mythical creature with wings. In the eyes of many, he would fly past the Preakness field with the greatest of ease, while … Continue reading

At 77, Lukas Still Running Them and Still Winning

D. Wayne Lukas didn’t get 14 Triple Crown race victories by sitting on the sidelines. He’s always believed in running his horses, sometimes to a fault. That’s how he racked up all those money titles as leading trainer from 1983-92 … Continue reading

Stevens, Oxbow Go Wire to Wire, Upset Preakness

There will be no Triple Crown winner in 2013. Under 50-year-old jockey Gary Stevens, Oxbow led the 138th running of Saturday’s $1-million Preakness Stakes throughout and defeated Itsmyluckyday by 1 3/4 lengths. Mylute got up for third. Odds-on favorite Orb … Continue reading

Preakness Alibi Breakfast: ‘He’ll Have to Run Down Us’

It started with a cup of coffee in the late 1930′s. On the porch of the historic Pimlico Clubhouse, a group of trainers, owners, and dignitaries gathered in the mornings to tout the merits of their horses before the Preakness … Continue reading

Addiction: No Longer a Threat to Racing’s Integrity?

A quarter-century ago, 54 racetracks had on-track treatment programs to address addictions on the racetrack, principally in the stable areas where employees both live and work. Today, only a few of those 54 programs remain in operation. Moreover, national conferences … Continue reading

The Big Muddy: Fair Grounds Turf Course ‘Broken’

The Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association is asking the Louisiana Racing Commission to conduct a review of the turf course at Fair Grounds racecourse in New Orleans, following a 2012-13 race season that saw numerous events taken off the … Continue reading

New York Claiming Rule Still Needs Revision

After months of delay it’s good to see New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is finally appointing members to the New York State Gaming Commission created last year to replace the now dissolved State Racing and Wagering Board.  I hope one … Continue reading

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