Business
Penn National, Delaware to postpone turf stakes
Penn National will delay its Penn Mile card stakes, while Delaware Park will postpone the Cape Henlopen in the face of persistent rains.
De Francis Dash purse gets boost
The De Francis Dash and three other stakes contested on the same day will receive $25,000 purse bumps, the Maryland Jockey Club announced.
OwnerView webinar focuses on owner relations
The second installment in the 2025 OwnerView webinar series discussed the efforts racetrack executives make to ensure they are keeping “Owners First.”
Jill Byrne tabbed as new VTA executive director
Jill Byrne will take the reins as the new executive director of the Virginia Thoroughbred Association, representing breeders.
Md. Racing Commission OKs Maryland-Virginia stakes
The Maryland Racing Commission signed off on a controversial proposal to blend Maryland-restricted and Virginia-restricted stakes Wednesday.
“He loved this game”: Owner-breeder Larry Johnson passes
Larry Johnson, who put his stamp on the Thoroughbred industry on racetracks and in boardrooms in Maryland and Virginia, passed away Feb. 4.
Enhanced Maryland-sired bonus soon to take effect
A program to bolster the value of horses that are both Maryland-bred and Maryland-sired is set to take effect with the current crop of two-year-olds.
Fair Hill Training Center tabs new GM
Fair Hill Training Center, the 350-acre training facility in northeastern Maryland, has hired veteran horseman Robert Croteau as general manager.
Art of Racing competition returns for Preakness 150
The Art of Racing competition, a nationwide art contest, returns this year for Preakness 150.
Crabs N Beer gets nod as People’s Voice Midlantic-bred
In — perhaps — a surprise, Crabs N Beer was chosen by the voting public as the “People’s Voice” top Midlantic-bred of 2024.
Maryland stallion season auction starts Feb. 9
The Maryland Stallion Season Auction, which benefits the Maryland Horse Foundation, kicks off online Feb. 9 and continues through Feb. 12.
Trainer Rodney Jenkins passes away
Rodney Jenkins, who trained some of Maryland’s most popular recent horses, passed away Thursday at age 80.
US wagering handle up slightly in November
With more days of live racing and solid Breeders’ Cup results, US wagering handle was up slightly in November versus the prior year.
Paco Lopez hit with “indefinite” suspension
Paco Lopez will sit out an “indefinite” suspension following an incident at Parx Racing in which he struck his mount in the face with his whip.
“Gun-shy” horsemen sound off on Laurel Park track surface
The final Maryland Racing Commission meeting of the 1/ST era of racing included discussion, once again, of the condition of the Laurel Park main track.
Colonial Downs awarded 44 live days for 2025
Colonial Downs will race 44 days in 2025, starting with a 3-day spring meet and then continuing with 41 summer racing days.
MJC: Ken Brown retiring as track superintendent
Maryland Jockey Club track superintendent Ken Brown has retired effective Dec. 1, with longtime crew member Danny Finke the interim replacement.
Equibase remote charting initiative to start at Charles Town
Equibase is looking to centralize much of its chart calling and creation in Kentucky, and Charles Town will be the first track with no on-site chart caller.
Ken McPeek named “Big Sport of Turfdom”
The Turf Publicists of America have awarded trainer Ken McPeek their Big Sport of Turfdom award for his cooperation with the media.
West Saratoga to be sold in Inglis Digital December
West Saratoga, a Grade 3 winner at two and Kentucky Derby runner at three, will be sold in the December Inglis Digital sale.
