horse racing

Keeneland Features New Attractions At This Year's Season Opening

Josh James (KPR) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:06:27 +0000

Keeneland will be featuring a number of new attractions and services at this year’s Spring Race Meet starting tomorrow. But one unwelcome change could be the amount of traffic – as major construction is set to continue on US60/Versailles Road for the next ten months. Keeneland spokesperson Julie Balog said state and local officials have been working with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to lessen the impact of the roadwork.

N. Y. Company Buys Interest in Ellis Park

The Associated Press — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 20:06:09 +0000

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has approved a bid from Saratoga Harness Racing Inc. to purchase a minority interest in Ellis Park.

The Gleaner reports Saratoga, which owns Saratoga Casino and Raceway in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., will pay $4 million in the deal that calls for a 30-percent ownership stake and oversight of all activities at the track, including the newly installed instant racing machines.

the morning cram [one down, one to go edition]

Todd Hatton — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 14:33:45 +0000

Today on NPR:

Five takeaways from the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa.

In Kentucky:

A new Pew report cites a $23 billion shortfall in state employee pension funds.

Beshear implements horse racing regulation

Todd Hatton and The Associated Press — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 13:32:24 +0000

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear is using his executive authority to implement a regulation allowing only government veterinarians to administer race-day drugs to horses. Thursday’s action comes days after the proposed regulation appeared stymied by objections from state lawmakers. Beshear says it's in the racing industry's interest to let the rule take effect. Republican State Senator Damon Thayer praised the governor’s action. He says it sends the message that Kentucky will be at the forefront of efforts to change perceptions about the use of drugs in horse racing.&

Summer Heat Prompts Churchill Downs to Revise Racing Schedule

Rick Howlett (KPR) — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 12:40:37 +0000

The heat wave gripping the area has forced Churchill Downs to revise its weekend live racing schedule.

Instant Racing Ruling Overturned

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:29:09 +0000

The Kentucky Court of Appeals has overturned a ruling that would have allowed instant racing at horse tracks in Kentucky. But the court is not saying instant racing is illegal.

Churchill Downs Changes Qualifications for Kentucky Derby

Devin Katayama — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 19:24:59 +0000

In an attempt to gain fans, Churchill Downs Incorporated is adopting a new points system for entry into the Kentucky Derby and will cut the number of qualifying stakes races considered for entry from 185 down to 36.

"Our primary driving motive is to create new fans for horse racing," said CDI chair and CEO Bob Evans in a press release.

The new system will make it easier to understand the route thoroughbreds take to win one of the 20 spots in the Kentucky Derby. A poll of more than 300 sports fans nationwide showed 83 percent did not understand how a thoroughbred qualified t

Post Positions Set for Belmont Stakes

Rick Howlett (KPR) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:52:45 +0000

The post positions are set for Saturday’s Belmont Stakes, the third leg in thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown.

Track Tech Equine Health

Leslie Guttman — Fri, 11 May 2012 20:24:46 +0000

We’re in Triple Crown season with the Preakness next Saturday. Some of the finest equine health care in the world is centered in the Kentucky Bluegrass, and advances in veterinary medicine give those who can afford it an edge at the track. Kentucky Public Radio’s Leslie Guttman reports on how advances in veterinary medicine give those who can afford it an edge at the track.

Keeneland Breaks Records

Charles Compton (KPR) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:18:41 +0000

Records in both overall and single day attendance were broken this spring at Keeneland Race Course. Over 40,000 people visited the Lexington facility on April 14th for the Bluegrass Stakes. In total, spokeswoman Amy Gregory says over 269,000 people were in the stands during the 15-day meet.

“We’ve actually been very blessed with some terrific weather this spring. And, we’ve had just some fantastic racing, the support of our horsemen has been wonderful.”