Bettors benefitting from penny breakage

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The penny-breakage rules that went into effect on the Kentucky circuit on July 8 have translated into more than $1.1 million in additional winnings to horseplayers, according to a Monday release from the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation based in Lexington.

The $1.1 million figure only stems from win-place-show wagering at Thoroughbred meets, and no exotic wagers. Penny breakage is the first of its kind in North American racing and was part of a broader racing-related tax package approved earlier this year by the Kentucky legislature.

◗ Wednesday through Friday of this week is when superstar jockeys Irad and Jose Ortiz and Joel Rosario are serving three-day suspensions for riding infractions stemming from separate incidents on the Oct. 7 opening-day card of the Keeneland fall meet. All three New York-based riders will return to action Saturday.

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