The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority has issued a request for proposals for scientific studies to establish whether furosemide, the diuretic administered in U.S. racing to mitigate bleeding in the lungs, should be defined as a “performance-enhancing” drug.

Doug Daniels, a horse owner and equine veterinarian, was re-elected to a second three-year term as president of the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association on the last day of the organization’s conference on Saturday in Iowa.

Daniels, who lives in Virginia, was elected unanimously by the National HBPA’s board of directors, according to the organization. The National HBPA has affiliates in most major racing states.

The racing fatality rate for Thoroughbreds at racetracks under the jurisdiction of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority was 0.76 per thousand starts in the second quarter of 2024, according to figures released by HISA on Friday.

The 2024 second-quarter rate was roughly half of the 1.48 rate in the second quarter of 2023, HISA said in a release. HISA’s drug-testing and medication control program began in May of 2023, while its safety rules went into effect in the summer of 2022.

Kentucky Downs, the all-turf Kentucky track on the Tennessee border whose casino subsidies have propelled its purses into the top echelon of racetracks worldwide, plans to boost its purses an additional $3.7 million this year, the track announced on Thursday.

The purse increases will be concentrated in the base purses for the track’s stakes races, which award far higher purses to horses eligible for the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund. While the KTDF subsidies can only be distributed to Kentucky-breds, the base purse can be distributed to any runner.

Churchill Downs had nearly $50 million in additional revenue in the second quarter of this year compared to last year’s second quarter, according to financial documents released by the track’s parent company on Wednesday night, bolstered by what Churchill Downs Inc. called a “record” Kentucky Derby week and additional live racing dates at the track.

Fresh off the unveiling of a $200 million paddock renovation, Churchill Downs will now focus on upgrading its grandstand seats and renovating a second-floor pavilion at the start of the track’s stretch, the track’s parent company announced on Wednesday.

The two projects, expected to cost $80-90 million, will begin in August of this year, with both expected to be completed in time for the 2025 Kentucky Derby on May 3, Churchill Downs Inc. said in a release. 

Jockey Yuri Yaranga began serving a 10-day suspension on Monday after being charged by West Virginia stewards with striking a rival horse in the face with his whip during a July 10 race at Mountaineer Park.

Todd Gralla, a principal at Populous, the architectural design company that worked on the re-design of Belmont Park in New York, will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Jockey Club Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing, The Jockey Club announced on Wednesday.

Wayne Catalano became the 39th trainer to record 3,000 wins when Alilnalot captured the fourth race Sunday at Ellis Park.

Catalano has chased the milestone for the better part of a year, coming into the weekend with 2,997 winners and quickly reaching his goal with two winners Saturday before Alilnalot’s tally the following afternoon.

Ruidoso Downs canceled the final five races on Saturday’s program, including the $792,229 Rainbow Derby for Quarter Horses, after a severe flood caused widespread damage to the track and infield, the fourth such incident in the last month.

Saturday’s flood was by far the most severe of the recent incidents. Previous floods affected the first turn and part of the backstretch. On Saturday, floodwaters extended through much of the infield, including the paddock and winner’s circle, as well as causing extensive flooding on the backstretch and first turn.