NYRA

Churchill Downs Racetrack released a preliminary list of races Tuesday that could be used for the extension of the "Road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve," pending agreeable race placement by the host tracks. The first race in the extended series, the $150,000 GIII Matt Winn S. May 23 at Churchill Downs, will have top four points raised from the previously announced 10-4-2-1to 50-20-10-5. "Based on measured interest from horsemen and limited racing opportunities for 3-year-olds across the country, the Matt Winn at the home of the Kentucky...

Today TDN launches the first installment in a multi-part series highlighting racetrack photographers. We'll be profiling the unique relationships between cameras and Thoroughbreds, asking about the most memorable horses, races and people they've viewed through the lens, and talking about how the craft of equine imagery has evolved. Each time that we profile a photographer, TDN will also be featuring their hand-selected favorite shots in multiple editions throughout the week. First up is Harold Roth. A 1973 racetrack photojournalism assignment for his Queens College student newspaper led to Roth's eventual...

Amplify Horse Racing, a grassroots organization launched in 2019 by second-year Godolphin Flying Start trainee Annise Montplasir and Madison Scott of Solis/Litt Bloodstock as an initiative to welcome and educate newcomers about the Thoroughbred industry, collaborate with existing initiatives, and promote opportunities for involvement, has launched its website at www.amplifyhorseracing.org. "Our goal for Amplify has been to become 'Step One' for newcomers to learn about the Thoroughbred industry," said Montplaisir. "We want this website and the resources we've curated to be a roadmap from basic to technical learning, and how...

If racing is allowed to resume by July 16, the New York Racing Association plans to run this summer in Saratoga, with or without fans being allowed in the stands, NYRA Senior Vice President of Racing Martin Panza told the TDN. The likelihood that the meet will be held spectator-free raises the question as to whether or not it would be more practical to keep the New York racing community in place and race during the summer at Belmont and Aqueduct. While that might be easier, Panza said Saratoga routinely...

Trainers Eddie Barker and Mertkan Kantarmaci finished as co-leaders of the Under 20's Claiming Challenge for the Aqueduct winter meet, NYRA announced Friday. They were each awarded $16,500 for their joint winning effort in the program, which is open to local trainers with 20 or fewer horses. The shared victory marked the third consecutive win in the series for Kantarmaci, who won the 2018-19 Aqueduct winter and 2019 Belmont spring/summer Under 20s Claiming Challenge titles outright. Kantarmaci now oversees a stable of 16 horses in New York with the assistance...

I am writing in response to the Open Letter to the Industry by the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation (TDN, April 18) : This has been a challenging time for horse racing and the country as a whole. As sports shut down last month, Equibase examined what it could do to help support efforts to promote horse racing. With expanded television coverage on FOX Sports and NBC Sports, potential new fans are being exposed to horse racing in unprecedented ways. We have been working with NYRA to provide free past performance products...

Despite the world seemingly on hold, the TAA is moving forward, albeit with some improvisation given the circumstances, but forward nonetheless. Specifically, the accreditation process for 2020 is well underway and functioning as normal as the team is currently reviewing the submitted applications. Now more than ever, our 74 accredited organizations with their 160 facilities need support. We are striving to maintain regular contact with these aftercare soldiers on the ground and provide them with as much information and assistance as possible. Although informal surveys do not suggest a wave...

In this week's TDN Writers' Room presented by Keeneland, NYTHA president Joe Appelbaum joined the crew as the Green Group Guest of the Week to talk about when we can expect to see racing again in New York, the efforts to help Belmont backstretch workers, his personal betting strategies and much more. "The situation on the backstretch has improved considerably, not unlike the rest of the situation in New York City," Appelbaum said. "In Nassau County, we're functioning. We have close to 1,500 horses there. They're training six days a...

The Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York, which operates the B.E.S.T. Health Center located on the Belmont Park backstretch, is seeking additional donations in support of its efforts to assist the local racing community during the coronavirus pandemic. Donations can be made here. B.E.S.T. is tasked with providing backstretch workers free health care, life insurance, drug and mental health counselling, as well as food and clothing. It is funded by the New York Racing Association, Inc. and the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, along with public donations and grants...

NYRA still plans to begin the Saratoga meet July 14, but has delayed the opening of the Oklahoma Training Track and Saratoga stabling area, which were scheduled to open Apr. 15, due to the coronavirus, NYRA announced Wednesday. NYRA is working with the New York State Gaming Commission and public health agencies to determine an appropriate date to safely open the Oklahoma for training and stabling. The delay does not impact the start of the Saratoga racing season which is scheduled to begin July 16 and run through Sept. 7....

Martin Zapata, who spent the last two years working as a groom for trainer Tom Morley, died Tuesday due to complications from COVID-19, according to NYTHA. The 63-year-old Panama native tested positive Mar. 24 and was hospitalized Mar. 26. "Martin was a beloved member of our team for the past two years who always greeted you at the door with a huge smile. He'll be sorely missed by all those in the New York racing community and further afield as well as his family in Panama," said Morley, who started...

On Mar. 19, the New York Racing Association suspended racing for an undetermined period after a backstretch worker tested positive for COVID-19, which left New York horsemen scrambling to adjust and come up with Plan B for themselves, their horses and their staff. Nine days later--following the announcement that Aqueduct had been approved as a temporary hospital site--NYRA announced that the rest of the Aqueduct winter meet would be canceled and the Ozone Park oval would not host its traditional spring meet, headlined by the GII Wood Memorial S. "On...