All News

February 22, 2013
Steven Crist: Lasix ban and Breeders' Cup cutback: Cause and effect?
By Steven Crist
When the Breeders’ Cup board of directors met Friday, its two most significant agenda items were whether to proceed with a planned ban on Lasix in all 15 of its races this year – and whether it would in fact present all 15 races this year. Were these ...
February 21, 2013
Andrew Beyer: Kentucky Derby point system - a vote in favor
By Andrew Beyer
When the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park and the Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds are run on Saturday, people who follow thoroughbred racing will watch intently, even if they don’t have a financial stake in the outcome.
2013 Emerald Downs Stakes Schedule
Track information and 29-race stakes schedule for the 2013 Emerald Downs meeting, highlighted by the 78th running of the G3 $200,000 Longacres Mile.
Jay Hovdey: Comma to the Top makes it add up
By Jay Hovdey
For those keeping score at home, and you know who you are, the new Kentucky Derby eligibility system kicks into high gear on Saturday when the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream and the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds each offers 85 points spread ...
Dave Tuley: Flashback heads Kentucky Derby futures at Vegas books
By Dave Tuley
Football season is in the rearview mirror and March Madness is about to dominate the sports books soon, so this is the perfect time to clean out this reporter’s notebook.
2013 Pimlico Race Course Spring Stakes Schedule
Track information and stakes schedule for the 2013 Pimlico Race Course 36-day spring meeting, highlighted by the second jewel of the Triple Crown, The Preakness, on Saturday, May 18.
February 20, 2013
2013 Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races Stakes Schedule
Track information and stakes schedule for the 2013 Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races meet.
Jay Hovdey: Age hasn't diminished competitive fire in Smith, Stevens
By Jay Hovdey
Those Sunshine Boys Mike Smith, 47, and Gary Stevens, 49, were on fine display last weekend, with Stevens winning the Santa Maria Stakes aboard the 9-1 shot Great Hot and Smith doing cross-country duty with champion Royal Delta in the Sabin Stakes at ...
February 15, 2013
Jay Hovdey: Tangled world of equine slaughter
By Jay Hovdey
In an admiral display of equine harmony, the Agricultural and Rural Development Committee of the Oklahoma Senate voted 9-0 last Tuesday to approve a bill that would allow for the operation of equine slaughterhouses in the state. The measure was passed ...
Steven Crist: Kentucky Derby Future Wager needs fixing
By Steven Crist
Is there a way to expand interest in Derby Futures and make them at least as attractive to bettors as a dismal mid-afternoon maiden-claiming race? It’s worth a try, and here are three suggestions.
February 14, 2013
Jay Hovdey: Include Me Out rests now to be fresher for Breeders' Cup in fall
By Jay Hovdey
The elephant missing from the room Saturday in the Santa Maria at Santa Anita is Include Me Out, who is getting a well-deserved vacation and will be pointed to the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic in the fall.
2013 Lone Star Park Spring Stakes Schedule
Track information and stakes schedule for the 2013 Spring Meet at Lone Star Park, which opens Thursday, April 11th.
February 13, 2013
Jay Hovdey: Compiling Kentucky Derby lists a foolhardy exercise
By Jay Hovdey
Considering all that can go wrong, anyone who ventures to compile a list of Kentucky Derby contenders is wasting their time.
February 12, 2013
2013 Belmont Park Spring-Summer Stakes Schedule
Track information and stakes schedule for the 2013 Belmont Park Spring/Summer Meet, which starts on Friday, April 26, highlighted by the G1 $1 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 8 - the third jewel of the Triple Crown.
February 08, 2013
Jay Hovdey: John Nerud - 100 years, lived substantively
By Jay Hovdey
John Nerud’s attitude about living to be 100 was etched in stone a few years ago when, during an interview, he declared, “There’s damn few people 97, and even fewer 98.” Such clear-eyed actuarial honesty is typical of the pragmatic Nerud.
February 07, 2013
Dr. Fager: The horse, the name, the stuff of legend
By Jay Hovdey
Dr. Charles Fager, the man who inspired the name of legendary racehorse Dr. Fager, recalls the uncomfortable spotlight he found himself in after the horse became a racing icon in the late-1960's.
Dave Tuley: Nevada Super Bowl handle at record $98.9 million
By Dave Tuley
When the Nevada Gaming Control Board released the statewide figures Monday afternoon, it was learned that the books had set a record handle of $98.9 million, eclipsing the mark of $94.5 million in pre-recession 2006, and profited $7.2 million, the ...
Jay Hovdey: O'Neill, McGaughey not ready to book trip to Dubai just yet
By Jay Hovdey
Neither Doug O'Neill, trainer of Richard's Kid, nor Shug McGaughey, the trainer of Point of Entry, is looking beyond Saturday's San Marcos Stakes and Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap towards a race in Dubai in March.
Andrew Beyer: Animal Kingdom being given chance to make history
By Andrew Beyer
At the age of 5, Animal Kingdom is healthy and ready to embark on a three-race schedule that could establish him as one of the best Thoroughbreds in the world, and might even make history. His campaign will begin Saturday in the Gulfsteam Park Turf ...
February 06, 2013
Jay Hovdey: The man behind the Budweiser Clydesdale Super Bowl ad
By Jay Hovdey
Tommie Turvey, the trainer behind this year’s Budweiser Clydesdale Super Bowl ad, leaches the technique from his craft and leaves only wonderment, making it appear as if nature intended horses to lie on their backs, buck and rear on cue, perch on tiny ...