Keeping Pace

Staff writer Frank Angst examines racing, handicapping, and other mysteries.

December 2016 - Posts

One Horse, Two Scandals

Not that the horse had a choice, but Masochistic now holds the dubious distinction of being the center of not one, but two racing scandals. BloodHorse headlines this week documented the recommendation by the California Horse Racing Board Dec. 19 that Santa Anita Park stewards disqualify Masochistic from his runner-up finish in the TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) Nov. 5, following a positive... Read More

NTRA Working in Coalition on H-2B Worker Visa Program

While participation numbers in the H-2B Seasonal Worker Visa program, which the industry relies on for backstretch workers, face an uncertain future with a new president and Congress preparing to take office in January, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association is working with like-minded industries to get the message out about the need for such workers. In a spending bill, Congress did not renew... Read More

Daily Settlements Needed to Protect Players

In late November, in a move done in large part to protect horseplayers at advance-deposit wagering companies, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission approved a rule that would require ADWs that operate in the state acquire a bond of up to $500,000 as a condition of licensing. The new requirement should provide added protection for Kentucky ADW customers—as well as the state—should an ADW declare bankruptcy... Read More

Digging Deeper into Proposed Multiple Medication Violator Changes

Looking at proposed changes being considered for the multiple medication violation penalty system (MMV), it's not readily clear how these changes—when you just look at factors like reduced points for some infractions—would play out in the real world. But a hypothetical BloodHorse examination that applied the changes being considered to the previous record of trainer and well-documented multiple offender... Read More

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