Business
HISA reinstates jockey Paco Lopez
Paco Lopez has the green light from HISA to resume riding, the organization said, following a suspension for his actions following a Dec. 4 race.
Great Notion’s big year tops Midlantic sires
Great Notion became the first Maryland sire in more than 15 years with over $6 million in progreny earnings in 2024, easily leading the Midlantic roster.
Chris Merz to head Maryland Racing Commission
Former Maryland Jockey Club racing secretary Chris Merz will be the new executive director of the Maryland Racing Commission.
Handle slumps in December as 2024 lags prior year
US wagering handle on Thoroughbred races plummeted 14% in December, as the industry suffered through another down year.
Mike Hopkins steps down after 40 years at Md. Racing Commission
Maryland Racing Commission executive director Mike Hopkins will retire after today, ending a career that spanned 40 years and many industry changes.
Laurel Park unveils 2025 winter stakes schedule
Laurel Park’s 2025 winter-spring meet stakes schedules looks very similar to its 2024 slate and includes 25 stakes.
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.
OwnerView webinar tackles state-bred incentives
The most recent OwnerView webinar took place November 5 and examined state-bred incentive programs around the country.
HISA seeks to limit provisional suspensions
The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) is seeking to limit the use of provisional suspensions in its medication control program.
Jeiron Barbosa shifting tack to the Fair Grounds
Twenty-year-old jockey Jeiron Barbosa will shift his tack from Laurel to the Fair Grounds in New Orleans for the meet that begins November 22.
Maryland Jockey Club to race 120 days in 2025
The Maryland Jockey Club will race 120 days in 2025, with seven more days run at Timonium, under a slate approved by the Racing Commission Monday.
Inglis Digital October sale underway
More than 65 horses are entered in the Inglis Digital October 2024 sale, including a stakes-placed runner in foal to Justify.
Maryland Horse Forum report released
Organizers have released a Final Report from the daylong 2024 Maryland Horse Forum, including notes, observations, and recommendations.
MHBA to host Handicapping 101 session
The Maryland Horse Breeders Association (MHBA) will host a free Handicapping 101 event October 28 to get you ready for Breeders’ Cup.
Big WVBC gets Arnaldo Bocachica jockey of the week
With five stakes wins Saturday on WVBC night at Charles Town, jockey Arnaldo Bocachica earned Jockeys’ Guild jockey of the week honors.
WV Breeders Classics publishes 2nd volume of history
West Virginia Breeders Classics Ltd., announced Oct. 7 that it had published second volume of its history.
