Total handle on U.S. races in 2014 dropped to its lowest level since 1995, unadjusted for inflation, though the drop was mitigated by an even greater decline in the number of races held at U.S. tracks during the year, according to figures released on Monday by Equibase.
Horsemen at Calder Race Course facing eviction under a lease that expires as of Jan. 1 are being advised to remain on the grounds of the track by the state’s trainers’ organization, setting up a showdown between the trainers and Calder’s parent company, Churchill Downs Inc.
Jack Wilson, who called charts and was the supervisor of Daily Racing Form’s track and field operations during a 42-year career, died Tuesday due to congestive heart failure. He was 80.
The Jockeys’ Guild has elected its 27 senators, including seven new members of the body, the organization announced on Tuesday.
In a letter sent to the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association through his attorney, Terry Finley is objecting to the process being used to hear his appeal of his narrow loss to Rick Violette earlier this month in the election for president of the horsemen's group.
Decisions, decisions, decisions. Whether it was the stewards ruling to let the result stand in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, jockey Rosie Napravnik’s impromptu announcement moments after the Breeders’ Cup Distaff that she was retiring, or a Massachusetts state gaming commission vote on a casino that now threatens to close Suffolk Downs – the last remaining major track in New England – choices were made in 2014 that reverberated through the sport.
The New York State Gaming Commission on Monday proposed a rule that would require specific minimum penalties for horsemen who commit multiple medication violations.
Photographer Barbara D. Livingston shares her favorite photos from 2014 and offers a year in review.
Los Alamitos concluded its 12-day December Thoroughbred meeting on Sunday as well as its first year of conducting Thoroughbred racing following the closure of Hollywood Park in 2013. Los Alamitos averaged $5,640,866 a day in all-sources handle during the December meet, slightly lower than during its 11-day September meeting but higher than during its summer meeting.
There has been a resolution to the workmens’ compensation insurance issue that threatened to shut down racing in New York on Jan. 1.
