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Probably doesn’t matter who gets credit for the Breeders’ Cup tax-break legislation in Kentucky, because it remains unclear how big a role it played in bringing the World Championships back to the Bluegrass State in 2011 given turmoil in California and New York, but if you’re wondering why horse racing fails to gain traction with Kentucky ...

It was big—not as big as the total wagering of $9.3 million—but a big enough development on opening day of the Monmouth Park experiment, which came together in only a few months. Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was on hand to sign into law the legislation that made the one-year “million-dollar meet” possible.  He didn’t ...

It has been described as funny, eye-catching, irreverent, offensive, and sexually suggestive. So which is it? Depends on your sense of humor—or lack thereof—and where your mind goes. If it works on all those levels, it works—period. More than a week before the May 15 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course, ticket sales were up 25% and are ...

Sarah Palin, where are you? Two weeks ago: Spent a couple of days at Atlantic City Race Course. No promotion, no advertising, but crowds so big there were lines outside the restrooms. This week: Covered part of an equine industry conference with the typical pronouncements—can’t fix the betting model; can’t agree on how to approach this or that; ...

It defies logic, but this is horse racing. You had to see it to believe it: Thousands of people on a cool, windy day jamming the grandstand at Atlantic City Race Course, the New Jersey track that was supposed to close and be demolished about 12 years ago. Kids with parents, 20-something beer drinkers, baby boomers, and seniors that probably were ...

Ramblings on recent developments in horse racing: One could argue that, after the latest General Assembly session in Kentucky, the legislature isn’t really serious about helping the horse racing and breeding industry. So with no legislative action, that leaves Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear, who could, with help from the Kentucky Horse Racing ...

There’s an interesting situation in South Florida, where a horseman who’s also an aspiring writer has been barred from a racetrack because his presence is considered “detrimental to the best interest of racing.” Does “detrimental to the best interest of racing” sound familiar? The latest case involves 40-year-old Terry Cullipher, who trains and ...

Good news and bad news from New Jersey, where the state wants to drastically overhaul horse racing. The good news is any proposed drastic overhaul. The bad news is that at face value, it’s not all-inclusive and lacks long-term vision. The return to a roughly June-through-Labor Day schedule at Monmouth Park is long overdue, and The Meadowlands ...

Ramblings on recent developments in horse racing: One of the more intriguing developments in the Zayat Stables bankruptcy case is the revelation one can receive a mortality payment on an un-dead horse. … Are there similar policies for humans as well? The Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission investigation into Thoroughbred owner Michael Gill ...

Look for more Ladies' Days in the future. A group called Females Are Thoroughbred Enthusiasts got off the ground in 2009 through the work of racing fan Beth Condren and Jennie Rees of the Louisville Courier-Journal. It quickly took root and figures to grow in 2010. F.A.T.E. is sort of a spin-off from Find A Thoroughbred Enthusiast, an ...