New York

Graded-Stakes Winning Jockey Doug Thomas Dead At 78

Douglas Thomas, a graded-stakes winning jockey who raced primarily at Monmouth Park in the 1970's and 80's, died Mar. 9 at the age of 78, according to an obituary written by his son Robert Thomas and sent by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey. An earner of over $21 million over the course of his career, the Canadian native retired in 1997 having made over 18,000 starts with a win total in excess of 2,000 races. Many of his winner's circle photos took place at tracks across New Jersey...

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Horse Racing in New York Brings $3 Billion to the NYS Economy

Horse racing in New York registered a $3-billion impact on the Empire State's economy and an employment impact of 19,785 in 2023, per results released from the American Horse Council's 2023 Economic Impact Study. "It's impressive to see how much of an economic engine horse racing is in the state of New York," said NYTHA President Tina Marie Bond. "Together with a total economic impact of $3 billion statewide, racing has added over 2,000 direct jobs in the past five years. Racing supports land preservation and green space across the...

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NYTB Board Elects Ahlschwede As President

Edited Press Release The Board of Directors of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) held its first meeting of 2024 on Friday, Jan. 19. The newly seated board unanimously elected Dr. Scott Ahlschwede, D.V.M., to serve as Board President through 2026. Current NYTB director Seth Gregory, owner of Innisfree Farm and Seth Gregory Bloodstock, was elected to the office of Vice President. The board also elected Lere Visagie, owner of Rockridge Stud, to serve as Secretary-Treasurer. Dr. Ahlschwede is a shareholder veterinarian with Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital and owner...

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NY-Bred Breeding Award Rate Increased for 2024

The New York State Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund Corporation (the Fund) Board of Directors' unanimously approved a motion during its Dec. 12 meeting to increase the breeder award rates for all New York-breds, the organization announced Tuesday. The increase, which covers all New York breds competing in the state beginning Jan. 1, was approved by the Fund board due to projected revenue increases expected in the upcoming season. An increased hold-back rate from 10-15% will also be implemented to ensure the Fund can payout awards up to the new...

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What Was Your Favorite Moment Of 2023: Pat Cummings

As 2023 draws to a close, the TDN is asking industry members to name their favorite moment of the year. Send yours to [email protected] "The best moment from 2023 was the confirmation that the state of New York would be loaning NYRA nearly half a billion dollars to build a modern Belmont Park. I'd rate this occurrence as possibly the most positive development in the sport since the founding of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. The seeds of this were planted in the years before VLT revenue started flowing in New...

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Provocateur To Stand At New York's McMahon Stud

McMahon and Hill Bloodstock purchased Provocateur (Into Mischief) for $200,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November Sale and Mike McMahon raced the 5-year-old four times this year before retiring him to stud at New York's McMahon Stud. A $600,000 yearling purchase, Provocateur won the Hutcheson S. at Gulfstream Park at two and was third in the GI Woody Stephens S. the following year. In a 14-race career, he compiled earnings of $240,000. "He's a very, very good-looking horse, very correct," said Joe McMahon. "And of course everyone knows Into Mischief-he's the...

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Open Letter To The Industry: Tom Rooney

Many of you may have seen that last week a bill was introduced in Congress to repeal the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, better known as HISA. I want to set the record straight as to what this legislation does or doesn't do, assure you that the bill isn't going anywhere in Congress, and stands no chance of becoming law. First things first-it's important to remember that any member of Congress can introduce a bill. They write the language, file the bill, and voila it's been introduced. Just in the...

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NYRA, State Want Dismissal Of 'Meritless' Lawsuit To Block Belmont Renovation

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) and the state of New York asked the Supreme Court of New York Aug. 18 to dismiss a lawsuit filed by two residents that is attempting to block the $455 million state loan to NYRA that will renovate Belmont Park. In addition, both the state and NYRA want to quash a motion for preliminary injunction that the plaintiffs initiated back on June 22 to try to halt any state money for the project from flowing to NYRA. The Belmont renovation was approved back in...

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Brick Fundraiser Launched At TRF Vocational Program

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) has launched a brick pathway fundraising campaign at the Wallkill Correctional Facility in Wallkill, New York, the organization said in a release Thursday. Honoring the flagship location of the TRF Second Chances Program and their partnership with the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the fundraiser will commemorate 40 years of "Saving Horses and Changing Lives." To support its mission, a brick pathway will be constructed on the horse farm near the historical Walstein Childs House. Bricks will be available through the...

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Secret Oath Headed To Ogden Phipps

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas has not won the GI Ogden Phipps S. since 1996, the year the legendary Serena's Song (Rahy) got the job done when the race was contested as the Hempstead H. The 87-year-old will hope that streak comes to an end when he saddles 2022 GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Secret Oath (Arrogate) in this year's Phipps, one of nine elite-level races slated to take place during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. The winner earns a spot in the field for the GI Breeders' Cup...

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Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings, May 16-22

Every week, the TDN publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky. Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where. With the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) having gone into effect on July 1, 2022, the TDN will also post a roundup of the relevant HISA-related rulings from the same week. New York Track: Belmont Park Date: 05/21/2023 Licensee: Caitlin Owen,...

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Franco, Rice Capture Winter Meet Titles At Aqueduct

Jockey Manny Franco captured his fourth winter meet riding title at Aqueduct, posting 63 wins at the meet that ran from Jan. 1 to March 26. Linda Rice paced all trainers with 37 wins, while Windylea Farm secured their first NYRA-circuit owners title with 12 wins. "It means a lot to me. This is what we're here for," said Franco, who is represented by agent John Panagot. "I want to be one of the top riders here on the New York circuit, and I work hard to make it happen....

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