A bill that would allow Kentucky racetracks to operate electronic gaming machines passed out of a Senate committee on Thursday with the tacit support of the racing industry and both political parties.

Trainer Jeffrey Scott Raley has been suspended a year by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission after one of his grooms was found poised to give one of his horses what officials believed to be a syringe of vodka about 45 minutes before a scheduled race Feb. 28 at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky.

DRF WEEKEND: Scott Blasi is one of eight assistants that trainer Steve Asmussen employs. All play an important role in one of the most successful and prolific operations in racing history. But it's Blasi who has been by Rachel Alexandra's side almost every day since she joined the Asmussen string at Churchill Downs last April.

A deal to open a casino at Aqueduct is dead again. New York Gov. David Paterson said in a statement issued Thursday that the state's lottery "has concluded that it cannot issue a gaming license to Aqueduct Entertainment Group," the sprawling partnership whose selection in late January by state government leaders to operate the casino sparked criticism and controversy.

Last week, trainer Vladimir Cerin intended to run Cigar Man in the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap. The plan was foiled when Cigar Man did not receive a high enough weight to gain a spot in the 14-horse field. The consolation is a $56,000 allowance race at Santa Anita on Friday.

Ramon Dominguez said it doesn't feel all that long ago when he won his 1,000th career race. It was actually Oct. 8, 2001. Less than nine years later, the 33-year-old Dominguez is nearing his 4,000th career victory.

Jockey Mike Smith, who has been aboard Zenyatta for 11 of her 14 wins, says the 6-year-old mare seems better than she was last year. She will be expected to win again when she makes her 2010 debut in Saturday's $250,000 Santa Margarita Handicap at Santa Anita.