Cary Fotias, founder and president of Equiform LLC, a New York City–based handicapping data company, and author of “Blinkers Off,” died in Calvary Hospital Friday night after a lengthy illness. Fotias was 60.

A member of the NTRA Players’ Panel and a board member of the Horseplayers Association of North America, Fotias worked to improve conditions for horseplayers and was a leading advocate for parimutuel takeout reform.

A noted handicapper and successful professional horseplayer, Fotias is survived by his wife, Mary; mother Anne; and sisters Andrea, Maria and Martha.

Supporters of a new set of medication rules provided testimony Thursday to the Illinois Racing Board in the first step of a discussion of whether the board will conduct a vote on the rules, according to the head of an Illinois horsemen’s organization who attended.

As Paynter’s health ebbed and flowed in the summer and fall of 2012, he gained a devoted following on the social-networking site Twitter, thanks to his owners, Ahmed Zayat (@jazz3162) and son Justin (@JustinZayat), who posted regular updates about the horse’s condition.

Followers of Paynter and his struggle interacted with the Zayats on a daily basis as new information was made available, organized under the hashtag “#PowerUpPaynter,” a phrase coined by the elder Zayat.

At no point in the 11 months leading up to Paynter’s June 14 return at Hollywood Park did a stretch call of this tenor seem possible:

“Paynter is riding the rail, and now he’s opening up,” track announcer Vic Stauffer called that day. “Paynter has put a four-length lead on Majestic City in second, Fly Lexis Fly, and Kate’s Event, but Paynter is clear to the sixteenth pole and he’s running beautifully. Welcome back, big guy! Paynter comes to the wire, and he cruises to victory. Wow, good for you, Paynter!”

Birthplace: Saskatchewan, Canada
Parents involved in racing? No
Favorite horse she’s ridden: Too many to choose a favorite
Favorite horse she never rode: Ruffian
Favorite jockey: John Velazquez
Favorite track: Hialeah Park

This is part two of DRF Weekend's two-part series offering a glimpse into the lives of a few of racing's unsung heroes, otherwise known as exercise riders. If you missed part one of the series, click here to read about Walter Blum, Jane Turner, and Humberto Gomez.

Birthdate: July 5, 1973
Birthplace: San Luis Potosi, Mexico
Favorite horse he has ridden: Curlin
Other notable horses he has ridden: My Miss Aurelia, Tapizar, Bwana Charlie, Summerly
Favorite racetrack: Santa Anita

Dennis Dammerman, a member of the New York Racing Association board of trustees from 2006 to 2012, died on Tuesday at the age of 67, NYRA announced on Wednesday, citing members of his family.

Penn National Gaming Inc., the owner and operator of 28 casinos and racetracks, had a net loss of $12.2 million in the second quarter of 2013, a sharp decline from net income of $66.7 million in the second quarter last year and well off the projections the company had previously estimated for the quarter.

Southern California trainer Carla Gaines has been suspended 30 days, beginning Aug. 1, and fined $2,500 by the California Horse Racing Board after two of her starters in 2012 tested in excess of the permitted level of testosterone.

The decision was reached by the racing board in an executive session of its monthly meeting July 18. The racing board adopted a proposed decision presented by stewards Scott Chaney, Kim Sawyer, and Tom Ward who heard five days of hearings in late May. The ruling was released Tuesday.