May 10th, 2011
For complete story, visit: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/695390-2011-triple-crown-trail-10-changes-to-make-horse-racing-better)
By: Burton DeWitt
After the doom and gloom for the industry that permeated out of the Kentucky Derby the past few years, it was nice for once to hear some optimism.
It is a great start.
But it is only a start.
I have come up with 10 changes that I feel need to be implemented, some for safety, and others for entertainment. All contain the ultimate goal of improving the sport both in the public’s eye and in the public’s interest, as well as making sure safety remains the ultimate goal.
May 10th, 2011
(For complete story, visit: http://www.eaglecountryonline.com/news.php?nID=1734)
(Florence, Ky.) – As Animal Kingdom sprinted to the finish line and immortality as the winner of the 137th Kentucky Derby Saturday, folks at Turfway Park thought it a familiar sight.
Animal Kingdom overcame 20-1 odds to win the biggest race in the sport at Churchill Downs by 2 ¾ lengths ridden by jockey John Velazquez. He may not have been there had he not took first in a race earlier this spring at Turfway Park in Florence.
“We are thrilled to have prepped the Derby winner at Turfway,” said Turfway Park president Robert Elliston. “Our congratulations go out to all the connections—Team Valor, (trainer H.) Graham Motion, and Johnny V. We are proud Barry Irwin and Graham decided to bring their contender to Turfway to prep for the most important race of his career.”
May 9th, 2011
[Turfway Park’s Bob] Elliston also said Animal Kingdom’s win is validation for synthetic surfaces like Turfway’s Polytrack.
(For complete article, visit: http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011305070111)
May 4th, 2011
(For complete story, visit: http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2011/04/29/california-moves-forward-on-safety-initiatives.aspx)
By: Frank Angst
At its Thursday meeting, the California Horse Racing Board moved forward on recommendations from its Medication and Track Safety Committee.
The board approved a nearly $1-million a year safety program to be conducted by the J. D. Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory and the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory in concert with the CHRB post-mortem program and Sue Stover, D.M.V., to look at equine welfare and injury prevention aimed at determining the reasons for equine deaths and injuries.
The commission also voted to increase withdrawal times to allow for more effective prerace veterinary examinations and voted to support the Association of Racing Commissioners International’s recent call to eliminate race-day medication within the next five years.
May 2nd, 2011
(For complete article, visit: http://www.drf.com/news/keeneland-despite-weather-business-strong-spring-meet)
“Synthetic surfaces are known as all-weather surfaces in Europe and ours certainly lived up to that moniker this spring.” -Nick Nicholson, Keeneland president and CEO
