New York Racing

Trainer Phil Serpe, who is fighting both in federal court and at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) appeal level to overturn a two-year suspension imposed by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) over a contested clenbuterol positive in one of his trainees at Saratoga Race Course in 2024, on Thursday had the judge in his lawsuit deny a request for a preliminary injunction for the second time in five months. In explaining his decision, the judge in charge of the case, David Leibowitz of United States District Court (Southern...

5th-Belmont The Big A, $85,000, Msw, 10-17, 2yo, 1m, 1:36.11, ft, 5 1/4 lengths. PALADIN (c, 2, Gun Runner--Secret Sigh, by Tapit) scored his first career win here, albeit not in a way his connections likely believed he would after Renegade (Into Mischief)--first across the line--was disqualified to second. The even-money favorite for this unveiling, Paladin was never far from the front as he pushed Credit History (Nyquist) through an opening quarter in :23.20 and a half in :46.48. Asked to take command passing the half-mile, he had a slim...

Governor Kathy Hochul accompanied New York Racing Association officials, AECOM Tishman, Populous and unionized construction workers for a topping out ceremony Wednesday, marking the placement of the final beam at the new Belmont Park. "As we raise the final beam, today marks a major milestone for Belmont Park and New York State," Governor Hochul said. "This project is more than simply rebuilding a racetrack--it's creating jobs, boosting our economy and ensuring Belmont remains a world-class destination. This redevelopment means thousands of good-paying union jobs, new opportunities for local businesses and...

It was a two-horse race almost right from the gate, but Intricate Spirit (Complexity) overtook the longtime leader late to stamp a ticket to the Breeders' Cup in the GIII Futurity Stakes at the Belmont Big A meet. The Miguel Clement-trainee was unveiled Aug. 1 upstate at Saratoga with a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'-worthy performance ahead of a next out winner at Kentucky Downs. He too took a swing at the boutique meet Aug. 28 and finished second by three-quarters of a length to Street Beast (Street Sense),...

The latest twist in the legal odyssey involving Phil Serpe and the agencies that regulate racing at the federal level was made public late on Tuesday, when the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued an order staying the issuance of a $25,000 fine that had been imposed against the veteran Thoroughbred trainer barely one day earlier by an administrative law judge (ALJ). That ALJ, Jay Himes, had been assigned by the FTC itself to adjudicate Serpe's FTC-level appeal of banned-substance charges. In addition to re-imposing the fine that the Horseracing Integrity...

The administrative law judge (ALJ) handling Phil Serpe's appeal to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) stemming from a two-year suspension imposed by a Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) arbitrator over a contested clenbuterol positive case has upheld the sanctions imposed against the veteran trainer. However, Jay Himes, the ALJ, also wrote in his Sept. 12 decision that he would "modify the award to add a $25,000 fine against Serpe," even though the ALJ also ruled that, "I hold without merit Serpe's argument that he is entitled to a jury...

6th-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-30, 2yo, 7f, 1:23.63, ft, neck. TALKIN (c, 2, Good Magic--Rote, by Tiznow) came into this contest with a bullet of 94 works Aug. 23 to his credit--blitzing the four furlongs over the main track in :47 flat. Tabbed as a 9-1 shot here, the bay chased a top flight led by Stradale (Yaupon) up the backstretch and around the far turn through :22.37 and four panels in :44.62. The Danny Gargan trainee made his move to run down that leader entering the lane and with an...

By a unanimous voice vote, the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) Aug. 25 passed rules changes regarding the elimination of most coupled 1 and 1A pari-mutuel entries. The changes align with a proposal that the board had first advanced back in March. The new rules had passed through a mandatory public commentary period after publication in the New York State Register. According to a brief written by NYSGC general counsel Edmund Burns that had accompanied the changes when they were first proposed back at the Mar. 24 meeting, the...

The program "Students to the Starting Gate", an initiative tied to the donation of 500 backpacks containing essential school supplies to community-based organizations serving families in Queens, Nassau and Saratoga Counties, has been launched by the New York Racing Association, according to an organization release Monday. Beginning Tuesday, Aug. 26, NYRA staff and Saratoga's, Gallop, will visit Saratoga City Center at 5 p.m. to help distribute backpacks and school supplies to students at the 2025 Salvation Army Back to School Expo. Downstate, NYRA provided students in the Elmont Union Free...

John Velazquez, the winningest jockey in the history of Saratoga Race Course, will serve a three-day "careless riding" suspension this coming Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday stemming from the disqualification of his mount from a win in the sixth race there Aug. 17. Velazquez waived his right to an appeal, according to an Aug. 20 stewards' ruling posted on the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) website. The race in which Velazquez got disqualified was a $100,000 maiden special weight turf route for 2-year-olds. He was aboard first-timer Scope (Gun Runner),...

Trainer Phil Serpe, who has an appeal pending with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in an attempt to overturn a two-year suspension imposed in July by a Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) arbitrator over a contested clenbuterol positive case from last summer at Saratoga Race Course, is also seeking to renew his request for a preliminary injunction in a 10-month-old lawsuit against the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and the FTC. A key issue in Serpe's federal court filing is the fact that HIWU and HISA did not...

The right-hand man to Christophe Clement for nearly three decades, assistant trainer Christophe Lorieul will be presented with the inaugural D. Wayne Lukas award, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) announced Saturday. Created this year and to be given annually, the D. Wayne Lukas Award is presented to a New York-based assistant trainer who demonstrates qualities that the late Hall of Famer himself exemplified--dedication, a strong work ethic, and a high commitment to excellence. In addition to a trophy, the winner will receive a $10,000 award. The presentation will...