WHO’S HOT

Penn National Gaming Inc., one of the largest operators of racetracks and casinos in the United States, had net income of $51.5 million in the first quarter of 2011, up 42 percent compared with first-quarter income of $36.2 million in 2010, according to financial statements released on Thursday.

Jockey Robby Albarado came to a plea agreement Wednesday in Jefferson County, Ky., in the March 31 domestic violence case brought against him by his wife, Kimber. The deal suspends a one-year jail sentence if he undergoes a 28-week intervention program and a drug and alcohol assessment.

Albarado pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of interfering with a witness in exchange for felony charges of domestic assault and wanton endangerment being dismissed. The case stems from a March 31 incident at the Albarado home in east Louisville.

LEXINGTON, Ky. − Interstate 77 and Interstate 95 have seen a lot of Dianne Cotter over the last few years. At 9 a.m. Monday she was driving that route again, headed south and hauling a horse. This year, Cotter made the 8 1/2-hour trip between Elkin, N.C., and Alachua, Fla., to retrieve Tuff Tuc, a 4-year-old Concerto filly who, in retrospect, she gave away too hastily.

Along with his Horse Player Now (www.horseplayernow.com) co-owner, Joe Kristufek, he co-hosts “Night School,” an interactive, online fan education forum, every Monday night from 8:30-10 p.m. Eastern. It is carried on several racing-related websites, including drf.com and ntra.com.

Birthdate: Oct. 2, 1971, in Hanover, Pa.

Family: wife, Andrea; daughter, Sophia

Jess Jackson, owner of the Stone­street Stables that campaigned Horses of the Year Curlin and Rachel Alexandra, died at home in Geyserville, Calif., on Thursday. The cause was complications from cancer, according to a release issued Thursday morning by his Kendall-Jackson Winery. Jackson was 81.

"He's an irreplaceable human being," said Steve Asmussen, who trained Curlin and Rachel Alexandra for Jackson.

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - Fountain of Youth winner Soldat gave every indication he’s bounced out of his disappointing performance in the Grade 1 Florida Derby in good order after zipping five furlongs in 59.07 seconds under absolutely perfect conditions early Thursday morning at Palm Meadows.

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the Association of Equine Practitioners, and the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium plan to hold a meeting this summer to discuss issues revolving around race-day medication, the three organizations said on Wednesday.

The meeting – which has yet to be scheduled – is the latest development on the issue of raceday medication following a widely supported call at the end of March by officials of the Association of Racing Commissioners International to ban the use of furosemide and other anti-bleeding medications on race day.

The Breeders’ Cup has conducted a major overhaul of its “Challenge” series that guarantees winners of designated stakes races berths in one of the 14 races of its annual year-end event, dropping 24 races from last year’s schedule and adding 27.