George Kutlenios was elected to his third term as president of the Michigan Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, a position he has held since 2012.

Kutlenios, a resident of Holly, Mich., campaigns his runners with his wife, Chrissy, under the name Red Riding Hood Stables.

Kutlenios said one of the key issues of his two-year term will be ensuring the approval of Senate Bill 504 in the state legislature to update various sections of the Michigan Horse Racing Act of 1995, which lays out much of the groundwork for the state’s racing operations.

Sunland Park in New Mexico has suspended racing for 14 days starting Saturday after five horses tested positive for the equine herpesvirus in the past week, the track announced. Sunland is conducting a mixed meet for Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses that opened in December and continues into April.

Sunland raced on Friday.

ARCADIA, Calif. – In an effort to offset rising costs for workers’ compensation in California, Thoroughbred owners will receive higher participation bonuses for each starter beginning Feb. 1, according to a statement released by the Thoroughbred Owners of California on Friday.

Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., has canceled its nine-race program for Friday due to a saturated racing surface from overnight rain and snow, according to track spokeswoman Jennifer Hoyt.

The decision to call off the card was made at around 11 a.m. Central after a meeting between management and horsemen. It was a unanimous decision, said Hoyt. Oaklawn had canceled training for Friday at around 5 a.m. but anticipated racing Friday.

The cancellation is the first of the meet that opened Jan. 15.

Oaklawn is expected to race Saturday.
 

Charles Town and Penn National have canceled their Friday and Saturday night cards in anticipation of a winter storm that is expected to produce significant snowfall and high winds.

Racing at Charles Towns is scheduled to resume next Thursday. Entries for that card were scheduled to be taken Saturday, but entry time has been pushed back to Monday.

Penn National's next live card will be Wednesday.

Charles Town plans to remain open for simulcast wagering. The new first post at Charles Town is 7 p.m. Eastern.

Sunland Park in New Mexico announced that a Thoroughbred mare tested positive for equine herpesvirus and has been euthanized. It was a case of EHV-4. The track released test results on Thursday and has restricted all horses from shipping in and out of Sunland.

Two races at The Curragh in Ireland have been promoted from Group 3 to Group 2 status, and two races in Italy have been downgraded from Group 1 to Group 2 level for 2016, the European Pattern Committee announced on Thursday.

The Curragh Cup at 1 3/4 miles in June and the Minstrel Stakes at seven furlongs in July were promoted. Four races were promoted from listed status to Group 3 in England, France, and Ireland.

Nik Juarez had his jockey’s license reinstated by the Laurel Park stewards on Thursday, according to Laurel Park officials. But Juarez will not be allowed to resume riding until the Stronach Group reviews the situation.

“We are internally discussing how to handle the situation,” said Tim Ritvo, chief operating officer of the Stronach Group, which owns the Maryland Jockey Club tracks of Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course. “As of now he does not have our permission to ride.”

Laurel Park has canceled racing Saturday and Sunday in anticipation of a winter storm that is expected to drop a foot of snow on the region.

Laurel does plan to race Friday, when afternoon snow showers are possible, according to weather.com. The storm is expected to intensify Friday night.

Simulcast wagering is canceled at Laurel on Saturday, but the track is tentatively scheduled to be open Sunday.

The previously drawn Saturday card will be brought back in its entirety for Monday. Double entries will be taken Monday for next Friday and Saturday.

Heza Dasha Fire, the winner of the $600,000 Champion of Champions in December and two derbies earlier in the year, was honored as the 2015 World Champion American Racing Quarter Horse in a ceremony in Oklahoma City on Wednesday evening.

Heza Dasha Fire, who races for Don and Kathy Meneely of Kennewick, Wash., also was honored as the champion 3-year-old and champion 3-year-old gelding. Don and Kathy Meneely were recognized as outstanding breeders.

The ceremony was held at the Heritage Place sales company.