Saratoga

Lazy Dog Cookie Company launched its first horse and pony treat--Horse Bitscuits--Jan. 1. Lazy Dog Cookie Co. will donate 15% of the profits raised by the treats to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF). Horse Bitscuits are available for purchase at local Saratoga retailers and customers across the United States may purchase them online through LazyDogCookieCo.com. TRF Executive Director, Patricia Stickney, shared "The TRF is immensely grateful to Amy and Keith for including us as a beneficiary of their new product and promoting our mission of saving horses and changing lives."...

Despite the layers of cold water and powder coating her from head to toe, nothing could mask apprentice jockey Madison Olver's bright smile following her first career victory aboard Curbstone (Street Sense) in the sixth race at Aqueduct on Dec. 9, 2022. It was a surreal moment for the 23-year-old, who just five and a half years prior had never even witnessed a horse race, let alone set foot on the backside of a racetrack or exercised a racehorse. A native of Fort Collins, Colo., Olver was bit by the...

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) generated all-sources handle of $2,321,863,828 during its 2022 race meets conducted at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. The year was highlighted by the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course where all-sources wagering rose to a record $878,211,963 in 2022, eclipsing the previous high-water mark by nearly 8%. In addition, the 2022 summer meet generated average daily handle of $21,955,299, which is the highest such figure in the history of Saratoga. On-track handle in 2022, which includes New York residents wagering...

According to figures released Thursday by Equibase, a robust $1,309,837,841 in purse money was paid out during the year in the U.S., an increase of 10.92% and an all-time record for the sport. Total handle on U.S. racing in 2022 was $12,108,807,335, a decrease of 0.87% when compared to 2021 numbers. The total bet in 2021 was $12,215,598,838. "Thoroughbred racing purses and pari-mutuel handle continued to exhibit strength in 2022," NTRA President and CEO Tom Rooney said in a statement. "Purses were up double-digits year-over year and reached an all-time...

Spendthrift Farm has added four new stallions to their extensive roster for 2023. Of those, two carry the weighty distinction of winning a graded stake at two. Both precocious horses furthered their success on the racetrack after their juvenile campaigns. Mo Donegal (Uncle Mo - Callingmissbrown, by Pulpit) took home a hard-fought win in the 2021 GII Remsen S. and went on to claim a Classic victory this year. His new studmate Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music - Unicorn Girl, by A.P. Five Hundred) came close to an undefeated season at...

A native of upstate New York, Kelsey Lupo spent summers at Saratoga learning to read the Form. With a degree in Animal Science from the University of Massachusetts, she has lived all of over the world working for stud farms in places like Kentucky, Ireland, Australia, England, and France. Bolstering her resume, she completed the Kentucky Equine Management Internship and the Irish National Stud Breeding Course. As the principal for Atlas Bloodstock, she advises on a wide range of services, while utilizing her extensive experience with all things bloodstock. Racing...

The writing is on the wall for Aqueduct Racetrack. There has been no official announcement, but the New York Racing Association has made clear with its plans to 'winterize' Belmont Park that Aqueduct, New York's stalwart winter racing home for decades, is on borrowed time. And while the logic of continuing to operate two racetracks just nine miles apart is undeniably questionable, don't let anyone fool you into thinking that nothing of value will be lost or that no one will mourn when Aqueduct becomes the latest American racing staple...

The New York Racing Association has released its 2023 racing schedule, which will include a return to Aqueduct for the traditional fall Belmont meet. NYRA first moved the Belmont fall meet to Aqueduct this year so that tunnels could be built that would provide access to the infield. In 2023, moving the Belmont fall meet will allow for reconstruction of the three Belmont racing surfaces. The 28-day Belmont at the Big A fall meet will open on Thursday, Sept. 14 and continue through Sunday, Oct. 29. Live racing will be...

The Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation (TERF) will award the Belmont Child Care Association, Inc. (BCCA) $10,000 to be used for educational purposes in 2023. The mission of the BCCA is to provide a safe, supportive, and academically inspiring environment for children of parents working in the Thoroughbred racing backstretch area located at New York's historic Belmont Park, Aqueduct Racetrack, and Saratoga Race Course. "What makes BCCA so unique is that we are changing lives at the racetrack every day," said Executive Director Joanne K. Adams. "For the past 20...

According to Albany television station WNYT, trainer Chad Brown pled guilty in Saratoga Springs City Court to reduced charges Monday related to an alleged case of domestic violence that occurred during the Saratoga meet. Originally arrested and charged with "obstruction of breathing," or choking a woman who came to his house on the evening of August 17, Brown pled guilty to the lesser charge of harassment. He was accompanied by his lawyer, Matthew Chauvin. According to the TV station, prosecutors said that there were "problems of proof," with the case....

LEXINGTON, KY--Godolphin homebred Cody's Wish (Curlin) made quite a few wishes come true beneath cloudy skies Saturday when rallying from well back and edging MGISW Cyberknife (Gun Runner) to take the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland. The colt was named for 16-year-old Cody Dorman, who met the bay when he was just a foal at Gainsborough as part of Keeneland's Make-a-Wish day. Cody's Wish put his head in the young boy's lap, making an instant connection, and his story has touched many in the racing world. Dorman and...

The New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) took a unanimous voice vote on Thursday to request an exemption from the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act Authority (HISA) that will allow the continued use of Lasix in races other than those for 2-year-olds and in stakes. Asking for the exemption also opts states into a three-year study that will be conducted by HISA that is designed to shape future federal Lasix policies, possibly as early as 2026. The vote itself was hardly a surprise. Not applying for the exemption would have...