Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher on Thursday eased the restrictions regarding the transport of animals into the state from Texas, a change that has made it easier for Kentucky-based horses to run Monday in rich events at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas, and then return home.
Skip to main content
Create Your DRF Account
New to DRF?
Everything you could possibly
need in one place
need in one place
Register
Don't have an account?
Register Here
Rabies is believed to be the underlying cause in the death of a 2-year-old colt who was euthanized May 20 at Calder after developing neurological problems earlier that day.
According to track veterinarian Dr. Mary Scollay, the colt, Truely Proud, developed "vague neurological symptoms" on the morning of May 20. She said the horse's condition deteriorated throughout the day, leading to the decision to euthanize him that evening.
Crown's third jewel once a contrary route
Despite all the hoopla a year ago about Funny Cide being bred in New York, the popular gelding would not have been the first horse from the Empire State to win the Belmont Stakes.
Ruthless, the winner of the first Belmont Stakes in 1867, was bred in New York, as were the winners in 1869 and 1882, Fenian and Forester. (For trivia buffs, it is a statue of Fenian that today sits atop the perpetual Belmont Stakes trophy.)
Far too many jumping gun in classic race
A race is on before the "real" race is even run. The race, that is, among members of the Thoroughbred racing community to declare that Smarty Jones is one of sport's all-time greats. Comparisons to Secretariat are flowing as if Smarty Jones had already won the Belmont Stakes in overpowering fashion. Similarities to Spectacular Bid are pronounced before Smarty Jones ever lines up in a starting gate against older horses.
The Ohio House of Representatives defeated a bill on Wednesday night that would have allowed for a referendum on slot machines at the state's seven racetracks.
The bill, which needed a two-thirds majority to pass because it would have amended the state's constitution, was defeated 57-40. The legislation had previously passed in the Senate.
Supporters of the bill could still mount a petition drive to get the issue on the Nov. 2 ballot. Such a drive would need to gather 323,000 signatures from registered voters by Aug. 4 to qualify.
A New Jersey horse racing fan left approximately $900,000 to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation in her will last year, the foundation announced Thursday.
The gift, by Barbara Dege, who died last year at age 50 of chronic heart problems, was the second-highest ever received by the Foundation. Paul Mellon, the Virginia philanthropist, left the organization an endowment of $5 million when he died in 1999.
The New York State Racing and Wagering Board has reduced from 20 days to 10 the suspension of trainer John Salzman Sr., for the finding of a banned substance in a horse he ran at Aqueduct in April. The horse Worray, finished third and was found to have a tranquilizer, fluphenazine, in her system. . . . Tailor Fit, a 9-year-old two-time world champion Quarter Horse, has been chosen to become the newest member of the Hall of Champions at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky.
Jockey Rick Wilson, who was critically injured on May 8 during a race at Pimlico Race Course, has been moved to a rehabilitation center at Kernan Hospital near Baltimore, according to his agent, John Salzman Jr.
Wilson, 50, was upgraded to stable condition on Monday at the Shock Trauma Unit of the University of Maryland Hospital. He had been admitted in critical condition following the May 8 accident, in which he was kicked in the head by the horse who unseated him.