Authorities arrested two individuals in connection with an illegal racing and gambling operation near Grandview, Texas, on May 3, the third such bust in the state in less than six months. Last fall, arrests were made in cases in Crosby and Royse City.

The Grandview arrests were made following an undercover investigation that discovered the operation, said Lt. Tim Jones, spokesman for the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. Jones said the sheriff’s office assisted in the case led by the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division.

The South African Veterinary Council has banned the use of the painkiller phenylbutazone in horses, the council announced last week.

The directive reclassified the drug, which is commonly used therapeutically in horses in the United States and Europe, to a Schedule 7 substance, which bans use or possession of the drug. The directive requires veterinarians to dispose of any existing stock of the drug.

Tom Chuckas, the president of Pimlico, said Friday he will initiate discussions with Churchill Downs and Belmont Park about changing the schedule of the Triple Crown races to allow for more time between races, but not until this year’s Triple Crown has concluded.

BALTIMORE – Though rain was falling hard Friday morning at Pimlico, Victor Espinoza, jockey of Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome, said he believes the main track will be fast for Saturday’s $1.5 million Preakness Stakes.

“Today, it’s going to rain. Tomorrow, it’s going to stop. The track should be okay,” Espinoza said. “You know what is crazy about this track? If it rains today, tomorrow, it’s fine. It dries out so quickly. It’ll be fast. That’s why I don’t worry about it.”

Less than two weeks after scoring the 10th Grade 1 victory of his career, two-time reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan underwent emergency colic surgery in Lexington, Ky. As of midday Friday, the prognosis for the gelding is fair, according to trainer Charles LoPresti and owner and breeder Morton Fink, and the issue may not be career-ending.

BALTIMORE - California Chrome has a small blister in his throat, which Alan Sherman, Art Sherman’s son and top assistant, described as a pimple. He said it appeared before the Derby, went down after treatment, and came back this week.

The throat is being treated again with a wash that is “all glycerin to coat it,” Alan Sherman said. He said blood work drawn Thursday was perfect, indicating no infection. He did not sound concerned in the least.

“Maybe we’ll get a bigger price,” Alan Sherman said.

Daily Racing Form Press on Thursday released Jay Hovdey’s, “Long Rein: Tales from the World of Horse Racing.” The hardback book is the first anthology from Hovdey, the executive columnist of Daily Racing Form , since he joined the company in 1998.

Maryland’s horsemen, breeders, and track officials all share the same opinion: racing in the state hasn’t been in such good shape for years.

Larry Jones is back, Pat Pope is gone, and the summer horse population could swell, with more horses than usual making their way north from Maryland as Delaware Park launches its 77th season of live racing Saturday.

Much like a year ago, the 2014 season will be a relatively short 81 days, and the stakes schedule has shrunk by three races and $250,000 in purse money since 2013. But there are some positive changes as well.