Sen. Mitch McConnell, the powerful Senate majority leader from Kentucky, has introduced a bill creating federal government regulation over a national racing board that would be responsible for setting drug-testing policies and standards for the sport.
The Kentucky Derby broadcast on NBC-TV on Saturday peaked at 9.8 million viewers, a steep fall from the viewership for last year’s broadcast when the race was held in May.
According to NBC, the viewership number was derived from a “fast national” rating of a 4.8 with a 14 share. Last year, the broadcast had a national rating of a 10.9, with a 25 share. Share measures the percentage of televisions in use watching a specific broadcast.
Federal authorities have charged a New York man of stealing equine pharmaceutical products from his workplace and reselling them to veterinarians and trainers.
Gregory Settino, 58, was charged with theft of medical products and making a false statement to a federal agent. He was arrested on Thursday, pleaded not guilty during his initial arraignment, and was released on a $250,000 bond, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
Total wagering on U.S. races in August dopped by nearly 2 percent compared to the same month last year on a 10 percent drop in races held, according to figures released by Equibase on Friday.
The 1.92 percent decline, from $1.177 billion last August to $1.155 billion this year, is a number far more in line with expectations than the July figure, which showed a total betting gain of 16.6 percent compared to the same month last year despite a large drop in the number of races held.
Casinos in New York will be allowed to open at limited capacity starting Wednesday, according to a directive issued by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday, resurrecting an essential lifeline for purses and for operating funds for New York racetracks.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Jockeys seeking to ride on opening day at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington on Oct. 2 will need to receive a COVID-19 test from the racetrack on Sept. 29, the track announced on Tuesday.
The requirement is part of a suite of protocols designed to lower the risk among jockeys of the spread of coronavirus during the fall meet, which runs for 17 days this year, from Oct. 2-24. Keeneland will also be the host of the Breeders’ Cup two-day event on Nov. 6-7, but protocols for riders for that event have not yet been announced.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Monday announcement by Sen. Mitch McConnell that he supports federal legislation seeking to unify medication rules across the United States was unquestionably a major coup for those who support the bill.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Sen. Mitch McConnell, the powerful U.S. Senate Majority Leader from Kentucky, will support efforts to pass legislation sought by some racing constituencies that would attempt to put in place uniform medication regulations across the country, McConnell said Monday.
