The Biz

After Frank Stronach of MI Developments and owner of Santa Anita made it clear he would allow Oak Tree to run in 2010 but was uncertain of any future meets, the Oak Tree Racing Association has started to look for other options. Board member John Barr is pushing for Del Mar. “Mr. Stronach does […]

The 59-person ownership group of Uptowncharlybrown want at minimum their money back after their horse was disqualified for losing his weight pad during this year’s Belmont Stakes. They charged that the error was the result of improper pre-assembly of the saddle by an employee of NYRA. Read more at the Courier-Journal Then come back […]

There seems to be some good news coming out of the OBS June Sale with the average up 30.8% and a sale topper at $220,000 purchased by Bob Baffert. Are we heading in the right direction? Have the sales corrected themselves? Or is it too soon to tell? Read it at the Blood-Horse Then […]

Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack officials are upset over a 12% purse cut they claim was necessitated by the NYCOTB’s unwillingness to make legislated payments according to Tom LaMarra of the Blood-Horse. “The unconscionable act of NYCOTB to refuse to pay its bankruptcy post-petition legislated payments has left a huge hole in our purse account […]

Next week, the CHRB will hold its monthly meeting at Hollywood Park and Frank Stronach will be the main event. Stronach will be discussing his future business model for racing and whether or not the future of Santa Anita will include an autumn meeting of the Oak Tree Racing Association. It’s also expected that […]

Convicted horse abuser Ernie Paragallo walked out on $10,000 bail today. An appellate court judge ruled he could be released while he appeals his convictions. Paragallo still maintains his innocence. “Were there some horses that were skinny?” asked Paragallo. “Yes, absolutely…but you’ll have that in any major farm.”Read it at Fox23 News Then […]

PRESS RELEASE While sharp partisan differences block a productive national debate on issues ranging from economic recovery to energy policy, fifty-one rising college seniors from across America gather in Lexington, Kentucky this week at the Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship’s (HCCS) third annual Student Congress, where they will hear from award-winning actor, Richard Dreyfuss […]

Convicted horse abuser Ernie Paragallo may have walked out of prison recently on $10,000 as he appeals the ruling of the Greene County court, but according to NY Racing and Wagering Board spokesman Joe Mahoney, he will be facing other challenges as well. The board seeks to ban Paragallo from racing for life. The […]

Following a successful 2009 campaign of Downs After Dark, Churchill Downs brought back the series for the first time under permanent lights and by all indications it was once again well received with over 25,000 folks populating the Louisville track.. My wife and I were among the thousands there (picture below) and we had […]

Jeff Gural, owner of two upstate NY harness tracks and partner of SL Green, told Paul Post of The Saratogian that NYRA should look to its neighbor to the South when evaluating the road ahead. Quite simply, fewer dates and larger purses. “Every other sport has an opening day and an end — the […]