Etc. . . .

The Arizona Racing Commission voted on Thursday to deny an appeal by the Arizona Department of Racing of a decision to award Jerry Simms, the owner of Turf Paradise, a racing license. The Department of Racing had denied Simms a license last year because of his prior involvement in a real estate scandal in California, but the commission overturned that decision in November. . . . Charles Town cancelled its live racing both Wednesday and Thursday because of unsafe track conditions caused by excessive moisture from last weekend's snowstorm and a subsequent thaw. Racing was scheduled to resume Friday.