Fri, 12/26/2014 - 13:43

Finley: NYTHA election appeals process flawed

In a letter sent to the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association through his attorney, Terry Finley is objecting to the process being used to hear his appeal of his narrow loss to Rick Violette earlier this month in the election for president of the horsemen's group.

Tue, 12/23/2014 - 12:05

2014 Year in Review: California Chrome shines in both racing world and mainstream

Justin N. Lane
From right, Bayern, ridden by Martin Garcia, wins the Breeders' Cup Classic over Toast of New York and California Chrome on Saturday.

Decisions, decisions, decisions. Whether it was the stewards ruling to let the result stand in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, jockey Rosie Napravnik’s impromptu announcement moments after the Breeders’ Cup Distaff that she was retiring, or a Massachusetts state gaming commission vote on a casino that now threatens to close Suffolk Downs – the last remaining major track in New England – choices were made in 2014 that reverberated through the sport.

Mon, 12/22/2014 - 15:00

New York proposes points system for medication violations

The New York State Gaming Commission on Monday proposed a rule that would require specific minimum penalties for horsemen who commit multiple medication violations.

The proposed rule would result in suspensions of 30, 60, 180 or up to 365 days once a trainer reaches a certain points threshold. Points are accrued based on the classification of drug as outlined by the Association of Racing Commissioners International.

Mon, 12/22/2014 - 14:53

Barbara D. Livingston’s best photos and year in review

Photographer Barbara D. Livingston shares her favorite photos from 2014 and offers a year in review.

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Mon, 12/22/2014 - 13:35

Los Alamitos officials satisfied with December meet

Benoit & Associates
Dortmund (3), with Martin Garcia aboard, narrowly beats Firing Line and Mr. Z in the Los Alamitos Futurity.

CYPRESS, Calif. – Los Alamitos concluded its 12-day December Thoroughbred meeting on Sunday as well as its first year of conducting Thoroughbred racing following the closure of Hollywood Park in 2013. Los Alamitos averaged $5,640,866 a day in all-sources handle during the December meet, slightly lower than during its 11-day September meeting but higher than during its summer meeting.

Mon, 12/22/2014 - 13:28

Workers' comp issue resolved to avoid shutdown in New York

There has been a resolution to the workmen's compensation insurance issue that threatened to shut down racing in New York on Jan. 1.

To help ameliorate a 59 percent increase in workmen's compensation insurance fees instituted by the New York State Insurance Fund, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association will arrange to pay half of the initial $2,475 workmen's compensation premium for trainers who are currently stabled at New York Racing Association tracks Aqueduct and Belmont Park. The initial premium was $940 in 2014.

Fri, 12/19/2014 - 13:58

New York racing in jeopardy over workers' compensation dispute

A dispute over workmens’ compensation pricing could threaten to shut down New York racing beginning Jan. 1.

Fri, 12/19/2014 - 13:13

Old Friends to receive Special Eclipse Award

Barbara D. Livingston
Michael Blowen's Old Friends Equine Retirement will be honored with a Special Eclipse Award for contributions to the sport. Blowen, pictured here with Rapid Redux at Old Friends, will receive the award at the annual Eclipse Award ceremony on Jan. 17 at Gulfstream Park.

Old Friends Equine Retirement will be honored with an Special Eclipse Award for contributions to the sport, the organizers of the Eclipse Awards announced Friday.

With bases in Kentucky and New York, Old Friends has become arguably the most visible Thoroughbred aftercare facility in North America, founded in 2003 by former Boston Globe film critic Michael Blowen.

Thu, 12/18/2014 - 15:54

Racing Medication and Testing Consortium declines merger proposal

The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium has declined a proposal to merge with the Association of Racing Commissioners International, citing “the importance of maintaining an independent and apolitical” organization to conduct medication research.

Thu, 12/18/2014 - 14:09

Durkin to receive Eclipse Award of Merit

Barbara D. Livingston
Tom Durkin, who joined the New York Racing Association in 1990, is retiring as race-caller Sunday.

Tom Durkin, the longtime announcer for the New York Racing Association who retired earlier this year, has been selected to receive the Eclipse Award of Merit, the organizers of the Eclipse Awards announced Thursday.

The Award of Merit is one of the highest honors in racing, recognizing a lifetime of outstanding achievement in the sport. It caps an extraordinary 43-year career for Durkin, who called his last race Aug. 30 at Saratoga Racecourse. After the final call, Durkin gave a moving speech in front of the track’s grandstand thanking “you, the racing fan, the horseplayer.”