
Business

Laurel Park to delay turf season launch at least a week
Laurel Park will not take entries for turf races next weekend as originally scheduled because of wet, cold weather, track officials said.

Grayson-Jockey Club Foundation announces 2025 funding
More than $2.6 million in Grayson-Jockey Club Foundation funding will support 16 new and 10 continuing projects.
Virginia Derby gets 89 nominations
The March 15 Virginia Derby – for the first time a Kentucky Derby points race – received 89 nominations, while the Virginia Oaks got 57.
Book’em Danno repeats as NJ-bred horse of the year
Book’em Danno, a Grade 1 winner and earner of $800,000 in 2024, has been named New Jersey-bred Horse of the Year for the second year in a row.
Maryland-bred champions announced
Future Is Now and Post Time are the big winners among Maryland-bred champions, announced this week, with the horse of the year still to be revealed.
Charles Town cancels Jan. 22 card
Predicted frigid temperatures have prompted Charles Town Races to cancel its live racing card for Jan. 22.
Rosecroft announcer Pete Medhurst passes away
Pete Medhurst, longtime track announcer at Rosecroft Raceway, passed away Monday after a battle with brain cancer.
Jockeys’ Guild elects officers
At its annual assembly Jan. 14, the Jockeys’ Guild elected new officers and senators, heard updates, and participated in discussions.
Parx Racing cancels Jan. 21 card
In the face of bitter cold, Parx Racing has canceled its live racing card for Tuesday, January 21, the track announced.
Laurel Park cancels Jan. 19 live card
With significant snow in the forecast, Laurel Park canceled its scheduled live card for Sunday, January 19.
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.
West Saratoga sells for $375,000
West Saratoga, a Grade 3 winner who ran in the 2024 Kentucky Derby, sold for $375,000 at the Inglis Digital sale.
OwnerView webinar talks condylar fractures
The latest OwnerView webinar, the last one of 2024, discussed dealing with condylar fractures.
Statewide “Preakness Festival” announced for 2025
Gov. Wes Moore and other Maryland luminaries on Wednesday announced a statewide Preakness Festival to take place in 2025.
Harness community rallies behind Pete Medhurst
Rosecroft track announcer Pete Medhurst is battling brain cancer, and the harness racing community is rallying to his and his family’s support.
MTROA expects quick resolution to license transfer issue
The Maryland Racing Commission tapped the brakes on the switch from private racetrack ownership to a nonprofit, but the MTROA expects a quick resolution.
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.