Researchers studying data collected over the past three years on injuries sustained by horses at racetracks have concluded that horses running in claiming races are at far higher risk of breaking down than horses who run in non-claiming races.

The finding dovetails with a widespread belief in the racing industry that claiming horses suffer breakdowns more frequently than non-claiming horses. The researchers have concluded from the data that horses in claiming races are 1.8 times more likely to suffer a fatal injury than horses in non-claiming races.

SHAKOPEE, Minn. – Mary Manney, assistant executive director of the Minnesota Racing Commission, has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the results of an investigation of alleged misconduct. Chief state veterinarian Dr. Lynn Hovda also is being investigated for alleged misconduct. It is unclear if the two investigations are related.

The United States market for slaughter horses was thrown into confusion Friday after slaughterhouses in Canada appeared to have closed their doors abruptly to U.S. horses, according to slaughter buyers, lower-market horse dealers, and the auctions they frequent.

The New York State Racing and Wagering Board passed seven rule changes Thursday based on the recommendations of a task force that studied a spike in breakdowns at Aqueduct racetrack last winter.

Passed unanimously by the commission on an emergency basis, the rules seek to tighten limits on several controversial medications, including the bronchial dilator clenbuterol and the corticosteroid methylprednisolone. The rules will also require trainers to maintain additional records on treatments that are administered to their horses.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has put together contributions agreements with a range of industry companies and organizations that could funnel several million dollars toward retirement and retraining of former racehorses, the TAA announced Thursday. The funds will “support the TAA’s mission to accredit and raise funds for Thoroughbred aftercare facilities,” the announcement said.

The Ontario racing industry is in the midst of a last-ditch drive to convince the provincial government that a three-year, $50 million assistance package recommended by the province’s finance minister is inadequate to protect the sport in the absence of revenue from slot machines.

Two Quarter Horses lined up near the top of the stretch for the 11th and last race April 8 at Gulfstream Park. A racetrack employee held a flag in his upraised hand, brought the flag down, and the horses were off. When the horses crossed the finish line 220 yards later, Gulfstream Park through a company associated with the track had officially held a Quarter Horse meet under Florida law.

Churchill Downs Inc. has reached an agreement to purchase a casino in Vicksburg, Miss., for $141 million, the company said late Friday. The casino, called Riverwalk Casino and Hotel, is the second that Churchill has purchased in Mississippi in the last three years, and it is the second property that Churchill has purchased that does not have a horse-racing component.

Wagering on U.S. races was up 2.6 percent in September of this year compared to the same month last year, while purses shot up 13.8 percent, according to figures released on Thursday by Equibase.

The jump in betting, from $774.4 million last September to $794.5 million this September, was accompanied by a 1.4 percent increase in race days. Per race day, handle was $1.59 million during the month, compared to $1.57 million last September, an increase of 1.3 percent.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Corticosteroid use, pre-race inspections, and post-retirement programs are among the topics that are scheduled to be discussed at the fourth Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit, to be held Oct. 16-17 at Keeneland.

Organizers of the summit released the schedule of topics on Wednesday. The summit, which is open to the public, will run all day on Tuesday and for a half day on Wednesday, a live racing day at Keeneland.