NYRA

In the aftermath of the controversial running of Saturday's Great White Way S. at Aqueduct, in which Brick Ambush (Laoban) crossed the wire second but was disqualified and placed last, outspoken owner Mike Repole has called for the resignation of The Jockey Club's president and CEO Jim Gagliano and its chairman Stuart Janney III. He did so Wednesday in a post to his account on the social media website X. Repole, who did not have a horse in the race, recently announced the formation of The National Thoroughbred Alliance (NTA),...

Edited Press Release Trainer Jena Antonucci sat down with the NYRA Press Office to discuss her accomplishments, MGISW Arcangelo (Arrogate) and the memorable moments that happened to her this year. NYRA: What did it mean to you personally to win the GI Belmont S. and GI Travers S.? Antonucci: "It opened the window for people to see what we've been doing. I've chuckled a little bit at the people who say, 'Oh, she's only ever had one horse.' No, we've actually had a lot, and have won stakes beforehand. Yes,...

The former New York-based veterinarian Alexander Chan has filed a hand-written plea from prison asking for a reduction to his 30-month sentence that was handed down in May as punishment for his role in the wide-ranging 2020 racehorse doping conspiracy case. In December 2022, Chan had cut a deal with prosecutors that involved pleading guilty to a single felony charge of drug adulteration and misbranding in exchange for two other felony counts against him being dropped. Chan's filing with the court on Monday was submitted without an attorney acting on...

Dean Reeves, the owner of recently disqualified Brick Ambush (Laoban), issued a statement Tuesday, following the Gaming Commission's decision to not allow appeals relating to last Saturday's Great White Way S. at Aqueduct. The statement read: "After receipt of the letter from the NY Gaming commission and further discussion with our attorney Drew Mollica, our trainer Danny Gargan, Patti and I have decided to not to pursue any further action regarding the disqualification of Brick Ambush in the 9th race at Aqueduct on Dec. 16th, 2023. We maintain our belief...

Following the controversial disqualification of Brick Ambush (Laoban), who crossed the wire second in Saturday's $500,000 Great White Way division of the New York Stallion Series at Aqueduct, owner Dean Reeves said he will appeal the decision of the stewards. In a roughly run race, there was an incident at the quarter-pole where Big Torpedo (Big Brown) and Solo's Fury (Solomini) both checked sharply. Big Torpedo finished fourth and Solo's Fury was last of 12. A strong case can be made that Antonio of Venice (Laoban), the race winner with...

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...

Michelle Cuozzo Borisenok, a longtime Thoroughbred owner, entrepreneur and philanthropist in the Capital region, and Najja Thompson, the executive director of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc., have been named to the Board of Directors of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy, the organization said in a release Friday morning. "Michelle and Najja both have a deep appreciation for the mission of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy and they are widely admired throughout the Thoroughbred industry," said Ramón Dominguez, the President of the NYRTC. "We are honored to have...

Last week's announcement that the 2024 GI Belmont S. will be migrating north to Saratoga Race Course for 2024 because of the $455-million extensive renovation of Belmont Park made official a move that the New York Racing Association (NYRA) has been openly discussing for months. But since the press release from the New York governor's office came out during a slow time of the year for racing news, it rekindled speculation about the ramifications of tinkering with the historical significance of the third jewel of the Triple Crown. The debate...

Trainer Thomas L. "Lou" Rondinello, winner of the 1974 GI Belmont S., passed away Nov. 27 at the age of 95 according to a release issued Friday by the NYRA Communications Office. Among Rondinello's leading runners was Eclipse champion 3-year-old colt Little Current (Sea-Bird) who took the last two of the three legs of the 1974 Triple Crown series after coming fifth in the GI Kentucky Derby. He also trained 1978 Eclipse champion 3-year-old filly Tempest Queen (Graustark). In training for Darby Dan Farm, Rondinello topped over $8.6m in earnings...

The New York Racing Association released the stakes schedule for the 2024 winter meet at Aqueduct Racetrack, the organization said in a release Friday. The 47-day Big A winter meet, which will feature 26 stakes races worth $3.5 million in purses, begins Monday, Jan. 1 and runs through Saturday, Mar. 30. Live racing will be conducted Thursday-Sunday for the first three weeks of January and Friday-Sunday from Jan. 26 through the first week of March. Aqueduct will host a Presidents' Day card on Monday, Feb. 19. Four-day race weeks resume...

The New York Islanders, in partnership with Northwell, the New York Racing Association and USA Hockey, have announced the opening of The Park at UBS Arena, a 155,800 square foot season-long, outdoor experience that will introduce the first two public pond hockey rinks to the community. With UBS Arena located within the heart of historic Belmont Park, The Park aims to take advantage of this unique setting and create something special for hockey fans of all ages. The first rink, named the Northwell Pond, boasts a sheet of natural ice....

Of all the events, activities, programs, and services that the New York Race Track Chaplaincy provides to the backstretch communities at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course, the Christmas Sponsor-A-Family program closes out the year in a very special way that touches the hearts of donors and families alike. Months of preparation culminate with the distribution of food, clothing, toys, and gifts for approximately 250 families just before Christmas each year. (This year, the distribution will take place at the new Chaplaincy Center at Belmont Park on Tuesday, December...