Del Mar will start its summer meeting July 15 with an across-the-board decline in overnight purses of about 10 percent.
The 39-day season begins with a purse overpayment of more than $1 million from previous meetings. An overpayment occurs when handle figures fail to keep pace with expectations, resulting in lower revenue for purses.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Legislation that would legalize Internet poker in California and provide California racing interests with a $60 million annual subsidy passed the Assembly Committee on Appropriations by a vote of 14-1 on Wednesday.
The legislation is expected to be heard next by the full Assembly. The bill passed the Assembly’s Government Organization Committee by a vote of 19-0 in April.
The question on a lot of people’s minds in racing Friday was whether Brexit, the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union, would have any effect on the auction or bloodstock markets in North America. The short answer is probably not, though it’s too early to tell.
Daily Racing Form’s Jay Hovdey and Mark Simon earned first-place honors in their respective categories at the American Horse Publications Equine Media Awards, presented at the organization’s annual seminar in Orlando, Fla.
Hovdey, DRF’s executive columnist, earned first-place honors in the “Breaking News – Single Article” category for “American legend Nerud dead at 102,” his obituary of legendary horseman John Nerud published last August.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission on Thursday approved a request by Suffolk Downs to drop its takeout to 15 percent across the board for its six days of live racing this year. The vote was unanimous, according to the commission.
This is the second year in which Suffolk has cut the takeout on all of its wagers to 15 percent. Last year, the track held two of its three live racing cards with a 15 percent takeout, the lowest in the country. In 2014, takeout at the track was 19 percent for win, place, and show bets, and 26 percent on all other wagers.
The Humane Society of the United States has formed a horse-racing advisory council and will step up its efforts to lobby for a federal bill providing for national oversight of the industry’s medication and drug-testing policies, officials of the group announced on Thursday.
There will be drawings for college scholarships during upcoming Louisiana-bred programs at Delta Downs and Evangeline Downs. The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association will award two scholarships, each worth $1,000, during the Louisiana Legends card of stakes July 2 at Evangeline. The Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association will award two scholarships, each worth $1,000, during the $690,295 Lee Berwick Futurity card July 9 at Delta. The LQHBA also will donate $5,000 to Special Olympics Louisiana.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Arlington already has canceled two stakes races and reduced the purses of three others at this meet to compensate for lower-than-hoped betting handle, and the Chicago-area track must hope it can recover from continued disappointing business figures if it is to avoid further cuts this summer.
