In an effort to offset rising costs for workers’ compensation in California, Thoroughbred owners will receive higher participation bonuses for each starter beginning Feb. 1, according to a statement released by the Thoroughbred Owners of California on Friday.
Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., has canceled its nine-race program for Friday due to a saturated racing surface from overnight rain and snow, according to track spokeswoman Jennifer Hoyt.
Charles Town and Penn National have canceled their Friday and Saturday night cards in anticipation of a winter storm that is expected to produce significant snowfall and high winds.
Sunland Park in New Mexico announced that a Thoroughbred mare tested positive for equine herpesvirus and has been euthanized. It was a case of EHV-4. The track released test results on Thursday and has restricted all horses from shipping in and out of Sunland.
Two races at The Curragh in Ireland have been promoted from Group 3 to Group 2 status, and two races in Italy have been downgraded from Group 1 to Group 2 level for 2016, the European Pattern Committee announced on Thursday.
Nik Juarez had his jockey’s license reinstated by the Laurel Park stewards on Thursday, according to Laurel Park officials. But Juarez will not be allowed to resume riding until the Stronach Group reviews the situation.
Laurel Park has canceled racing Saturday and Sunday in anticipation of a winter storm that is expected to drop a foot of snow on the region.
Heza Dasha Fire, the winner of the $600,000 Champion of Champions in December and two derbies earlier in the year, was honored as the 2015 World Champion American Racing Quarter Horse in a ceremony in Oklahoma City on Wednesday evening.
Donald Leifeld, a prominent Nebraska-based owner, died Saturday at Howard County Medical Center in St. Paul, Neb. He was 61.
Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, La., has made a host of changes to its 26-race, $2 million stakes schedule for the Thoroughbred meet that opens April 6. The track has discontinued the $300,000 Evangeline Downs Turf Sprint but added seven new stakes races, including four offerings for 3-year-olds. The 84-date meet runs through Aug. 27.
