Latest Horse Racing News
Officials at a Kentucky horse track are trying to determine if their ban on a certain type of shoe aimed at making racing safer actually had the opposite effect after fatalities doubled in December compared to the previous year. Turfway Park in Florence reported that eight horses died from racing injuries during its 21-day holiday meet that ended Dec.
Wagering on thoroughbred racing in the United States fell more than 7 percent in 2008 as the struggling economy and fewer racing dates led to a downturn at the betting window. Equibase Company, which tracks the industry, reported Tuesday that $13.67 billion was wagered on races at U.S. tracks in 2008.
Tizfiz beat Marzelline by a nose to capture the 40th running of the $150,000 San Gorgonio Handicap on Sunday at Santa Anita. Under Agapito Delgadillo, Tizfiz ran the 1 1/8-mile turf course in 1:49.62, paying $21, $9.80 and $7. Marzelline returned $3.40 and $3, while the Solar Miss paid $4 to show. It was 42-year-old Delgadillo's first graded stakes victory.
Gemswick Park won the $100,000 Old Hat Stakes on Sunday, holding off even-money favorite Elusive Heat and Frolic's Dream at the wire. The 3-year-old filly, ridden by John Velazquez, ran the six furlongs in 1:09.77, finishing a nose ahead of previously unbeaten Elusive Heat. Frolic's Dream, another unbeaten filly, was another nose back in third.
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Justwhistledixie rolled to a third straight win, beating Gnome's Delight by 3 1/2 lengths Sunday in the $70,795 Ruthless Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. Never worse than second at any point, Justwhistledixie took charge in the stretch and finished under a hand ride by Rajiv Maragh. The time was 1:10.81 for six furlongs on the fast track.
Danica Patrick paid a $196 fine to settle a speeding ticket after the star race car driver was caught going 54 mph in a 35 mph zone last month. Patrick, the first woman to win an IndyCar race, was due in traffic court Monday, but a Scottsdale City Court clerk says she paid the fine Wednesday. The 26-year-old driver was pulled over by Scottsdale police Dec.
Ocean Downs Racetrack has suspended simulcast wagering at the track and its off-track betting location until it resolves differences with horsemen. The track said in a statement on Thursday that the horsemen have refused to continue contract negotiations and have withdrawn their consent for the simulcasting.
Hambletonian winner Deweycheatumnhowe was voted 3-year-old colt trotter of the year, record-setting earner Somebeachsomewhere was voted top 3-year-old colt pacer and 10 other horses earned Dan Patch awards as divisional champions Monday. Mister Big, who won 11 of 14 races, was voted top older male pacer for the second year in a row in balloting by the U.S.
Jockey Sam Thompson passed away Thursday morning due to injuries sustained in a racing accident at the Los Alamitos Race Course.
Two connected barns at New Orleans Race Course were quarantined Friday because a 3-year-old filly tested positive for equine herpes. It may take 10 days to clear other horses trained by Dallas Stewart, who trains the filly, and Neil Howard, said Dr. Tom David, the equine medical director of the Louisiana State Racing Commission.
Jockey Sam Thompson Jr. died Christmas Day, five days after he was thrown from a quarter horse following a race at Los Alamitos. The 36-year-old rider had been on life support at Los Alamitos Medical Center since the Dec. 20 accident. Thompson's family had him taken off life support Thursday, medical center spokesman Orlando Gutierrez said.
Kauto Star became the second horse to win the King George VI Chase title three years in a row, beating Albertas Run by eight lengths in the three-mile jump race on Friday. Kauto Star, the 10-11 favorite again ridden by Ruby Walsh and trained by Paul Nicholls, survived a shaky start to ease in front and hold off a challenge by Albertas Run in the final stretch.
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