John Lies

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority has established a Racing Office Advisory Group comprised of senior racing officials from racetracks across the country, the organization announced Wednesday. The group will provide feedback to HISA's executive team and Standing Committees on rules, processes and operational practices affecting Thoroughbred racing officials nationwide. "Racing offices are integral to the successful implementation of HISA safety and integrity rules," said HISA Director of Racetrack Safety Ann McGovern. "By establishing this group, we are making a direct channel available for racing office professionals to share their...

The 2025 Thoroughbred racing season draw to a close May 14 with the last of a 28-day racing season that saw an increased average field size and strong competition across the board. Mister Omaha, a 3-year-old son of Omaha Beach, was named the 2025 horse of the meet at the Claremont, Oklahoma, oval with a four-length victory in the six-furlong Welder Stakes (NBT) in March and an 18 1/4-length romp in the Will Rogers Downs Handicap (NBT) over a mile on Kentucky Derby day May 3. His trainer Joe Offolter...

Thoroughbred racing at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Oklahoma is set to open for its spring season after a tornado hit the track after last year's meet concluded, according to a press release from the organization on Wednesday. Will Rogers's barns were heavily damaged during the storm. New structures were completed back in January and the track reports that they are already at capacity for the season. "It's incredible to see the resiliency of this property and the hard work put in by the staff to build it...

Live Thoroughbred racing is scheduled to return at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs Mar. 22 and will continue through May 26. The meet will include eight stakes races with six exclusively for accredited Oklahoma-Breds. Post time is 1:00 p.m. daily. "As one of only a few tracks running last spring, we are now very rehearsed in conducting a safe race meet under pandemic restrictions and CDC guidelines," said John Lies, racing secretary, announcer and oddsmaker at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs. Stakes races begin Apr. 12 with the $50,000 guaranteed...

   Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs in Oklahoma, one of the handful of North American racetracks that was able to continue racing throughout the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, concluded its meet May 20 with significant handle increases, as expected. More than $131 million was wagered in total (from 17 more races than in 2019) for a 687% increase over the $16.8 million bet the previous year. "Our racing shifted steadily toward center stage this spring. I am very proud that we were able to complete our season safely," said...